Storage systems and methods for medicines

ABSTRACT

People can damage their medicines by taking them outside in hot or cold weather. On the other hand, some people need to carry their medicines with them wherever they go (even if the weather is extremely hot or cold). Specially constructed storage systems can protect medicines from damage due to hot and cold weather without requiring bulky structures or expensive components that consume electricity to regulate temperature.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of and is a continuation-in-part ofU.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 14/616,652; filed Feb.6, 2015; and entitled STORAGE SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MEDICINES. Theentire contents of patent application Ser. No. 14/616,652 areincorporated by reference herein.

U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 14/616,652 claims thebenefit of and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Nonprovisional patentapplication Ser. No. 13/896,211; filed May 16, 2013; and entitledSTORAGE SYSTEMS AND STORAGE METHODS FOR INJECTABLE SUBSTANCES. Theentire contents of patent application Ser. No. 13/896,211 areincorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

Various embodiments disclosed herein relate to systems and methods tostore medicines. Certain embodiments relate to maintaining medicines ata suitable temperature.

2. Description of Related Art

Users of medicines, such as epinephrine, adrenaline, and insulin, arefaced with a difficult challenge. On one hand, physicians often advisepatients to take their medicines with them wherever they go. Yet on theother hand, the temperature of many medicines typically should bemaintained within a temperature range that is incompatible with outdoortemperatures. For example, a certain injectable substance might need tobe stored within a temperature range of 65 degrees Fahrenheit to 85degrees Fahrenheit. Outdoor temperatures are often colder than 65degrees Fahrenheit or warmer than 85 degrees Fahrenheit. As a result,patients who need injectable substances sometimes must remain indoors,risk going outdoors without the safety of carrying the injectablesubstance, or risk reducing the efficacy of the injectable substance bycarrying it into environments with temperatures outside of therecommended range.

Prior art solutions have included refrigerators set to particulartemperatures to store medicines within a suitable range. (The suitablerange can be the storage range recommended by the manufacturer of themedicine.) Refrigerators require substantial electrical power.Constantly having to plug a refrigerator into a power supply, changingbatteries, or recharging batteries is inconvenient. In addition, userssometimes forget to provide adequate power, which can result in harmingthe medicine, and thereby, creating a health risk to the user. Thus,there is a need for systems and methods to store injectable substanceswithin a suitable temperature range while requiring little or noelectrical power.

Prior art solutions have also included bulky insulation systems that areinconvenient for patients to carry outside. Due to this inconvenience,many patients do not carry vital medicines when they go outside. As aresult, many patients have suffered medical emergencies and somepatients have died. Thus, there is a need for systems and methods thatare convenient enough for patients to carry their medicines outdoors.

SUMMARY

In some embodiments, devices to store medicines can include a chamberconfigured to store a medicine, a thermal bank, and an insulated cover.The thermal bank can be located inside the insulated cover. At least aportion of the chamber can be located inside the thermal bank. Thethermal bank can include phase change materials. Storage devices canalso include innovative structures that dramatically reduce the volumeand weight of the storage devices while still shielding medicines fromextreme outdoor environments.

In some embodiments, devices to store injectable substances can includean outer case and a vacuum flask located inside the outer case. Thedevices can include a thermal bank located inside the vacuum flask. Thethermal bank can include a void that extends from an inner portion ofthe thermal bank to an outer portion of the thermal bank. An injectablesubstance can be located inside the void. The devices can include aremovable lid configured to allow a user to remove the injectablesubstance from the storage system. In some embodiments, a user unthreadsor rotates the lid to remove the lid. In several embodiments, insulatedcontainers use foam insulation, materials that capture small airpockets, or other suitable insulation rather than a vacuum flask (e.g.,a Thermos).

Several embodiments include methods of storing injectable substances,inhalers, pharmaceuticals, or drugs. Some method embodiments compriseobtaining an outer case and a lid. Several methods include placing avacuum flask inside the outer case and placing a thermal bank inside thevacuum flask. Some methods include placing an injectable substanceinside the vacuum flask and closing the lid such that the outer case andthe lid completely surround the injectable substance.

Some embodiments include a storage system comprising a chamberconfigured to store an injection device; a thermal bank; and/or aninsulated cover. The thermal bank can have a heat capacity of at least1,200 J/K. The thermal bank can be located inside the insulated cover.At least a portion of the chamber can be located inside the thermalbank. The injection device can be located inside the chamber. Theinjection device can comprise a syringe and a pharmaceutical agentlocated inside the syringe. The pharmaceutical agent can compriseepinephrine.

In some embodiments, the thermal bank comprises a hole that extends toan outer surface of the thermal bank and at least a portion of thechamber is located in the hole. The chamber can have a volume, and atleast 60% of the volume of the chamber can be located inside the thermalbank.

In several embodiments, the storage system has a central axis, and thechamber is located approximately along a portion the central axis. Aportion of the thermal bank can be located radially outward relative tothe chamber. A portion of the insulated cover can be located radiallyoutward relative to the thermal bank. The thermal bank can be removablycoupled to the insulated cover. The thermal bank can be rigidly coupledto the insulated cover. The thermal bank can comprise a container withsolid outer walls. The container can be at least partially filled with aliquid having a melting temperature between 40 degrees Fahrenheit and100 degrees Fahrenheit.

In some embodiments, the storage system includes an outer case; a vacuumflask located inside the outer case; and/or a thermal bank locatedinside the vacuum flask. The thermal bank can include a heat capacity ofat least 400 J/K. The thermal bank can also include a void that extendsfrom an inner portion of the thermal bank to an outer portion of thethermal bank. The void can be at least 1 centimeter wide and at least 6centimeters long. An injectable substance can be located inside thevoid. A removable lid can be configured to allow a user to remove theinjectable substance from the storage system. The storage system canhave a volumetric center. The volumetric center can be located insidethe void. The heat capacity of the thermal bank can be at least 2,000J/K and/or less than 12,000 J/K.

Several embodiments of storing a medicinal injectable substance includeobtaining an outer case and a lid; obtaining a vacuum flask locatedinside the outer case; obtaining a thermal bank with a heat capacity ofat least 400 J/K, wherein the thermal bank can be located inside thevacuum flask; placing an injection device inside the vacuum flask,wherein the injection device is at least partially filled with themedicinal injectable substance; and/or coupling the lid to the outercase such that the outer case and the lid surround the injection device.The injection device can include a syringe at least partially filledwith epinephrine.

Some embodiments include placing the injection device inside at least aportion of the thermal bank. Embodiments can include forming the outercase around at least a portion of the vacuum flask. Several embodimentsinclude maintaining the injectable substance within a temperature rangeof at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit and less than 90 degrees Fahrenheit.Inside environments can have a “room temperature” (e.g., a temperaturewithin a typical range for a temperature-controlled home in the UnitedStates). Some embodiments include isolating the injectable substancefrom fluids located outside of the injection device.

Several embodiments include placing the thermal bank in a firstenvironment, wherein the first environment has a temperature greaterthan 65 degrees Fahrenheit and less than 85 degrees Fahrenheit; removingthe thermal bank from the first environment and transporting the thermalbank towards a second environment while the thermal bank has atemperature greater than 65 degrees Fahrenheit and less than 85 degreesFahrenheit, wherein the second environment has a temperature less than65 degrees Fahrenheit or greater than 85 degrees Fahrenheit; and/ormoving the thermal bank from the second environment to a thirdenvironment before the temperature of the thermal bank falls below 65degrees Fahrenheit or rises above 85 degrees Fahrenheit, wherein thethird environment has a temperature greater than 65 degrees Fahrenheitand less than 85 degrees Fahrenheit. The first environment can beindoors. The second environment can be outdoors. The third environmentcan be indoors (e.g., at a room temperature). Some embodiments do notcomprise using electricity to alter the temperature of the thermal bankwhile the thermal bank is located in the second environment and whilethe heat capacity of the thermal bank is at least 800 J/K. Embodimentscan use electricity to measure temperatures even if they do not useelectricity to alter the temperature.

In several embodiments, storage systems include an insulated containercomprising a base and an opening configurable to enable removing amedicine from inside the insulated container; a first chamber locatedinside the insulated container, wherein the first chamber is configuredto hold the medicine; a first phase change material located inside theinsulated container; and/or a second phase change material locatedinside the insulated container.

In some embodiments, the first phase change material can have a firstmelting temperature greater than 40 degrees Fahrenheit and less than 74degrees Fahrenheit. The second phase change material can have a secondmelting temperature greater than 74 degrees Fahrenheit and less than 100degrees Fahrenheit. The first melting temperature can be at least fourdegrees Fahrenheit less than the second melting temperature. Forexample, 74 degrees Fahrenheit can be approximately equal to a typicalroom temperature (although room temperatures commonly range from 67degrees Fahrenheit to 80 degrees Fahrenheit in rooms having temperaturecontrolled environments enabled by heating and/or air conditioning).

Using a “temperature dividing line” of 74 degrees Fahrenheit helpsenable some embodiments to avoid inappropriately triggering meltingand/or freezing while the storage system is located in a temperaturecontrolled room. Imagine if the second phase change material had amelting temperature of less than 74 degrees. As a result, the secondphase change material could completely melt before a person even movedthe storage system from a room temperature into a hot outdoorenvironment that is warmer than a maximum recommended storagetemperature of the medicine. In this case, the phase change of thesecond phase change material would not help reduce the rate oftemperature rise inside the first chamber in response to heat transfercaused by the hot environment. Similarly, this “temperature dividingline” helps ensure the first phase change material will have asufficiently low melting temperature such that the first phase changematerial should not solidify before the storage system is moved from aroom temperature to an environment that is colder than a minimumrecommended storage temperature.

In some embodiments, the first phase change material can have a firstmelting temperature greater than 63 degrees Fahrenheit and less than 74degrees Fahrenheit. The second phase change material can have a secondmelting temperature greater than 74 degrees Fahrenheit and less than 83degrees Fahrenheit. These melting temperatures can be particularlyeffective to create a system that quickly responds (e.g., by changingphases) to temperature changes caused by leaving an indoor environmentand entering an outdoor environment. Meridian Medical Technologies, Inc.makes a medicine called an EpiPen. EpiPens can have a minimumrecommended storage temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit and a maximumrecommended storage temperature of 77 degrees Fahrenheit. Othermedicines often have different minimum and maximum recommended storagetemperatures.

In some embodiments, the storage system is configured to cause the firstphase change material to solidify when a first temperature of the firstchamber falls below the first melting temperature, and/or the storagesystem is configured to cause the second phase change material to meltwhen the first temperature of the first chamber rises above the secondmelting temperature. As a result, the storage system can be configuredto temporarily protect the medicine from a first environment that iscolder than a safe minimum storage temperature and/or from a secondenvironment that is hotter than a safe maximum storage temperature.Manufacturers of medicines can recommend minimum storage temperaturesand/or maximum storage temperatures for medicines.

In several embodiments, the first phase change material has a firstlatent heat of at least 40 kJ/kg, and/or the second phase changematerial has a second latent heat of at least 40 kJ/kg. (The latentheats described herein are latent heats of fusion.) In some embodiments,the first phase change material has a first latent heat of at least 110kJ/kg, and/or the second phase change material has a second latent heatof at least 110 kJ/kg. In several embodiments, the first phase changematerial has a first latent heat of at least 180 kJ/kg, and/or thesecond phase change material has a second latent heat of at least 180kJ/kg. These latent heat properties can dramatically reduce thenecessary weight of the phase change materials, which can enabledramatically reducing the overall volume of the storage system.

In some embodiments, a storage system comprises a second chamber havingthe first phase change material, and/or the insulated containercomprises a third chamber having the second phase change material. Thesecond chamber and the third chamber can be located inside the insulatedcontainer. The opening can be coupled to the first chamber such that theopening is configurable to provide access to the first chamber to enableremoving the medicine from the insulated container.

In some embodiments, the insulated container is a flexible bag with afoil coating to reduce the rate of heat transfer in and out of the bag.The bag can have a fabric exterior. The chambers can be pliable bags. Insome embodiments, the insulated container is a rigid container with foaminsulation. In several embodiments, the insulated container is a vacuumflask comprising a chamber with a pressure below atmospheric pressure toreduce heat transfer through the vacuum flask.

In several embodiments, a phase change system comprises the first phasechange material and the second phase change material such that the phasechange system is configured to change phases at multiple temperaturesgreater than 40 degrees Fahrenheit and less than 100 degrees Fahrenheit.For example, the first phase change material can solidify at 68 degreesFahrenheit, and the second phase change material can melt at 82 degreesFahrenheit. The phase change system can include many chambers. Someembodiments include at least four phase change materials and at leastten chambers with walls separating the chambers. The phase change systemcan be located inside the insulated container. At least a majority ofthe first chamber can be located between portions of the phase changesystem. For example, a first phase change material can be located on oneside of the first chamber and a second phase change material can belocated on an opposite side of the first chamber such that the phasechange system “sandwiches” the first chamber.

In some embodiments, at least the majority of the first chamber islocated between a first compliant wall and a second compliant wall. Thefirst compliant wall can separate at least the majority of the firstchamber from a first side of the phase change system. The secondcompliant wall can separate at least the majority of the first chamberfrom a second side of the phase change system. The compliant walls canmake the first chamber expandable.

In several embodiments, the opening that leads into the first chambercomprises a length from a first end of the opening to a second end ofthe opening. The first chamber can comprise a minimum thickness betweenthe first compliant wall and the second compliant wall in a locationconfigured to hold the medicine. Prior to inserting the medicine intothe first chamber, the length can be at least five times larger than theminimum thickness. The first chamber can be configured to expand inresponse to inserting the medicine into the first chamber such that thefirst chamber is configured to hold the medicine having a thickness thatis greater than the minimum thickness of the first chamber. Theseembodiments can enable a collapsible storage system that can more easilyfit in a pocket, purse, or bag when not in use. For example, the outerwalls of the storage system can contract inwards as the thickness of thefirst chamber is reduced.

In some embodiments, the storage system comprises a second chamber thatholds the first phase change material. The second chamber can be locatedinside the insulated container. The opening can be coupled to the firstchamber such that the opening is configurable to provide access to thefirst chamber to enable removing the medicine from the insulatedcontainer. When the opening is unsealed, a person can reach into theopening to grab the medicine in the first chamber.

In several embodiments, the first chamber has a longest dimension, andthe second chamber has a longest dimension. The first chamber and thesecond chamber can be oriented such that the longest dimension of thefirst chamber and the longest dimension of the second chamber both pointtowards the same exterior side of the storage system (e.g., towards oneend of the storage system or towards an opening of the storage system).When the longest dimension of the first chamber and the longestdimension of the second chamber both point towards the same exteriorside of the storage system, a portion of the first chamber and at leasta portion of the second chamber can run approximately alongside eachother (e.g., even though a wall separates the first chamber from thesecond chamber). The first chamber and the second chamber can beoriented such that they extend distally in a first direction away fromthe opening. The insulated container can be a vacuum flask and/or a foamcontainer.

In several embodiments, the insulated container comprises a centralaxis, and the first chamber extends distally away from the opening suchthat at least a majority of the central axis is located inside the firstchamber. The second chamber can be located outside of the first chamberand radially outward from the central axis. The storage system can alsocomprise a third chamber having the second phase change material. Thesecond chamber can be located inside the insulated container. The thirdchamber can be located outside of the first chamber and radially outwardfrom the central axis. The insulated container can be a vacuum flask ora container with walls insulated by foam.

In several embodiments, the storage system includes a phase changesystem comprising the first phase change material and the second phasechange material such that the phase change system is configured tochange phases at multiple temperatures greater than 40 degreesFahrenheit and less than 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The phase change systemcan be located inside the insulated container.

In some embodiments, the first chamber is located between a first walland a second wall. In several embodiments, at least a majority of thefirst chamber is located between a first wall and a second wall. Thefirst wall can separate the first chamber from a first side of the phasechange system. The second wall separates the first chamber from a secondside of the phase change system. The first and second walls can be rigidor compliant. Rigid walls can be rigid plastic or metal. Compliant wallscan be made from plastic configured to bend without breaking to conformto many different shapes.

In several embodiments, a third wall passes through the central axis toseparate the second chamber from the third chamber. The third wall canseparate a distal portion of the phase change system from a proximalportion of the phase change system. The third wall can be perpendicularto the central axis to separate the distal portion from the proximalportion. The third wall can also be perpendicular to the central axis toseparate a left half of the phase change system from a right half of thephase change system.

Some embodiments include a first wall that separates the first chamberhaving the medicine from the second chamber having the first phasechange material. A second wall can separate the first chamber having themedicine from the third chamber having the second phase change material.The first chamber, the second chamber, and the third chamber can extenddistally parallel relative to each other. The first chamber, the secondchamber, and the third chamber can be oriented such that they arelocated next to each other while being separated by walls.

In several embodiments, the insulated container comprises a vacuum flaskhaving a cylindrical interior wall, which forms a cylindrical interiorvolume that is divided into chambers by walls that can be rigid orpliable. In some embodiments, phase change materials are located incompliant bags, the walls of which separate chambers. The medicine canbe located inside the first chamber.

In several embodiments, the insulated container comprises a centralaxis, and the phase change system can be located in a central portion ofthe insulated container such that at least a majority of the centralaxis is located inside the phase change system (e.g., while a firstmedicine is located radially outward from at least a portion the phasechange system and a second medicine is located radially outward from atleast the portion of the phase change system). A first wall can separatethe first chamber having the medicine from the phase change system. Asecond wall can separate the phase change system from a fourth chamber.The storage system can also include a removable lid (e.g., a “screw-on”lid) coupled to the base such that removing the lid facilitatesaccessing both the first chamber and the fourth chamber such that aninjection device can be removed from the fourth chamber.

In some embodiments, the first chamber can be located radially outwardfrom the central axis on a first side of the phase change system. Thefourth chamber can be located radially outward from the central axis ona second side of the phase change system. A third wall can pass throughthe central axis to separate the second chamber from the third chamber.

In several embodiments, storage systems include a phase change systemcomprising the first phase change material and the second phase changematerial such that the phase change system is configured to changephases at multiple temperatures greater than 40 degrees Fahrenheit andless than 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Some embodiments of phase changesystems change phases at multiple temperatures greater than 34 degreesFahrenheit and/or less than 110 degrees Fahrenheit; and/or change phasesat multiple temperatures greater than 62 degrees Fahrenheit and/or lessthan 82 degrees Fahrenheit. The insulated container can comprise acentral axis, and the first chamber can extend distally away from theopening such that at least a portion of the central axis is locatedinside the first chamber. The phase change system can be located insidethe insulated container and can be located distally relative to thefirst chamber. The phase change system can comprise a second chamberhaving the first phase change material.

In some embodiments, the phase change system can comprise a thirdchamber. The second phase change material can be located inside thethird chamber. The phase change system can comprise a wall locateddistally relative to the first chamber. The wall can separate the secondchamber from the third chamber. The insulated container can comprise avacuum flask having a cylindrical interior wall. The medicine canlocated inside the first chamber.

In several embodiments, the storage system comprises a second chamberhaving the first phase change material. The second chamber can belocated inside the insulated container. The opening can be coupled tothe first chamber such that the opening is configurable to provideaccess to the first chamber to enable removing the medicine from theinsulated container. Closing the opening can include using a lid orclosing mechanism to shut the opening (in an air-tight or non-air-tightmanner).

In some embodiments, the insulated container comprises a central axis,and the first chamber extends from the opening to a distal half of theinsulated container. The storage system can also comprise a secondchamber having the first phase change material and a third chamberhaving the second phase change material. The second chamber and thethird chamber can be located outside of the first chamber and radiallyoutward relative to the central axis.

In several embodiments, a first wall separates the first chamber fromthe second chamber, and a second wall separates the second chamber fromthe third chamber. The second chamber can be located distally orproximally relative to the third chamber while being located outside ofthe first chamber and radially outward relative to the central axis.

All of the apparatus and system embodiments described herein can be usedwith any of the methods described herein. Elements from one embodimentcan be combined with elements of other embodiments.

Some embodiments include using a storage system having a first chamberconfigured to hold a medicine, a second chamber having a first phasechange material, and a third chamber having a second phase changematerial. The first phase change material can have a first meltingtemperature that is greater than 40 degrees Fahrenheit and less than 74degrees Fahrenheit. The second phase change material can have a secondmelting temperature that is greater than 74 degrees Fahrenheit and lessthan 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The first melting temperature can be atleast four degrees Fahrenheit less than the second melting temperature(e.g., to ensure there is an adequate difference between the meltingtemperatures to reduce the likelihood of inappropriate melting andsolidifying).

A manufacturer of the medicine can recommend a minimum storagetemperature and a maximum storage temperature for the medicine. Forexample, the medicine can include instructions for use that state tostore the medicine at 68 degrees Fahrenheit to 77 degrees Fahrenheit (ascan be the case with EpiPens made by Meridian Medical Technologies,Inc., a Pfizer Company).

Some embodiments include obtaining the storage system. The storagesystem can have a first temperature. Embodiments can include placing thestorage system inside a building having a first room temperature;leaving the storage system inside the building until the first phasechange material is melted and the second phase change material issolidified; placing the medicine inside the first chamber and thenclosing (e.g., covering an opening) the first chamber from an externalenvironment located outside of the storage system; moving the storagesystem to a cold environment that is colder than the first roomtemperature, colder than the first melting temperature, and/or colderthan the minimum storage temperature of the medicine, then returning thestorage system to a second room temperature before the first phasechange material is completely solidified; and/or moving the storagesystem to a hot environment that is warmer than the first roomtemperature, warmer than the second melting temperature, and/or warmerthan the maximum storage temperature of the medicine. Then, embodimentscan include returning the storage system to a third room temperaturebefore the second phase change material is completely melted.

As used herein, “room temperature” is used in a very broad sense, andcan include a temperature inside a building and/or a temperature in atemperature-controlled building. The first, second, and third roomtemperatures can be equal to each other or different from each other.The first, second, and third room temperatures can be in the samebuilding and/or room. The first, second, and third room temperatures canbe in different buildings and/or rooms.

After returning the storage system to the second room temperature, somemethods include exposing the storage system to the second roomtemperature until the first phase change material is melted beforemoving the storage system to a first extreme environment that is colderthan the minimum recommended storage temperature. After returning thestorage system to the third room temperature, some methods includeexposing the storage system to the third room temperature until thesecond phase change material is solidified before moving the storagesystem to a second extreme environment that is hotter than the minimumrecommended storage temperature.

Several embodiments include continuing to cover (e.g., covering anopening) the first chamber from the external environment from a firsttime the storage system leaves a fourth room temperature to move to thecold environment; while the storage system is located in the coldenvironment; and/or until returning the storage system to an environmenthaving a fifth room temperature. Embodiments can also include openingthe first chamber to the fifth room temperature in response to returningto the fifth room temperature. Several embodiments include continuing toopen the first chamber to the fifth room temperature until the firstphase change material is melted and the second phase change material issolidified.

As used herein, “cover” and “covering” are used in a very broad sense tomean covering an opening (e.g., by closing the opening or placing a lidin the opening). “Cover” and “covering” can include “seal” and“sealing,” but in some embodiments, “cover” and “covering” might notform an air-tight seal. For example, a lid of a cooler can cover theopening to the cooler, but the lid does not necessarily form an airtightseal.

Several embodiments include obtaining the storage system; placing thestorage system in a first inside environment; leaving the storage systemin the first inside environment until the first phase change material ismelted and the second phase change material is solidified; placing themedicine inside the first chamber and then closing the first chamberfrom an external environment (e.g., covering an opening leading to thefirst chamber), wherein the external environment is external relative tothe storage system; moving the storage system to a cold outdoorenvironment that is colder than the first inside environment, colderthan the first melting temperature, and/or colder than the minimumstorage temperature of the medicine; and then returning the storagesystem to a second inside environment before the first phase changematerial is completely solidified. Some embodiments include moving thestorage system to a hot outdoor environment that is warmer than thesecond inside environment, warmer than the second melting temperature,and/or warmer than the maximum storage temperature of the medicine, andthen returning the storage system to a third inside environment beforethe second phase change material is completely melted.

As used herein, an environment is a cold outdoor environment if it iscolder than the first inside environment. As used herein, an environmentis a hot outdoor environment if it is hotter than the second insideenvironment. For example, a cold outdoor environment can be colder thana room temperature and a hot outdoor environment can be hotter than theroom temperature.

In several embodiments, the medicine comprises a minimum storagetemperature and a maximum storage temperature configured to avoidtemperature-induced damage to the medicine. (The manufacturer of themedicine can recommend the minimum and maximum storage temperatures.)The first melting temperature can be equal to or within 7 degreesFahrenheit greater than the minimum storage temperature. The secondmelting temperature can be equal to or within 7 degrees Fahrenheit lessthan the maximum storage temperature to reduce a temperature differencebetween the first chamber and an outside environment during a phasechange of the first phase change material or the second phase changematerial.

In some embodiments, the first phase change material has a first meltingtemperature between 33 degrees Fahrenheit and 72 degrees Fahrenheit, andthe second phase change material has a second melting temperaturebetween 78 degrees Fahrenheit and 110 degrees Fahrenheit. The firstchamber can be located at least partially between a second chamber and athird chamber. A first wall can separate the first chamber from thesecond chamber. A second wall can separate the first chamber from thethird chamber. A first pliable bag can hold the first phase changematerial inside the second chamber. A second pliable bag can hold thesecond phase change material inside the third chamber. In someembodiments, the first pliable bag is the second chamber. In severalembodiments, the first pliable bag is located within a chamber withrigid walls.

In several embodiments, the first chamber comprises a first centralaxis, the second chamber comprises a second central axis, and the thirdchamber comprises a third central axis. The first central axis, thesecond central axis, and/or the third central axis can be orientedparallel relative to each other.

In some embodiments, the first chamber can be located at least partiallybetween a second chamber and a third chamber. The second chamber can belocated radially outward from the first central axis on a first side ofthe first chamber. The third chamber can be located radially outwardfrom the central axis on a second side of the first chamber.

In several embodiments, the first chamber, the second chamber, and thethird chamber are located inside a cylindrical void of the insulatedcontainer. The cylindrical void can be an interior portion of a vacuumflask with a screw-on lid.

In some embodiments, a first wall separates the first chamber from thesecond chamber; a second wall separates the first chamber from the thirdchamber; a first pliable bag holds the first phase change materialinside the second chamber; and/or a second pliable bag holds the secondphase change material inside the third chamber. In several embodiments,the pliable bag forms a pliable chamber.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages are described belowwith reference to the drawings, which are intended to illustrate but notto limit the invention. In the drawings, like reference charactersdenote corresponding features consistently throughout similarembodiments.

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a storage system, according to someembodiments.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a storage system embodimentalong plane A-A, which extends into the page in FIG. 1, according tosome embodiments.

FIG. 3 illustrates the same cross section as illustrated in FIG. 2except some items omitted from FIG. 2 to increase the clarity of FIG. 2are visible in FIG. 3, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view wherein an injectablesubstance is located inside a chamber, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of astorage system, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 6 illustrates a radial thickness of a thermal bank, according tosome embodiments.

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of astorage system, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of a thermal bank, according tosome embodiments.

FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an embodiment with aninhaler located inside a storage system, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 10 illustrates a side view of a storage system, according to someembodiments.

FIG. 11 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a storage system alongplane A-A, which extends into the page in FIG. 10, according to someembodiments.

FIG. 12 illustrates a cross-sectional view along line B-B from FIG. 10,according to some embodiments.

FIG. 13 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a storage system shownfrom the same perspective as FIG. 12, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 14 illustrates the storage system from FIG. 13 along a crosssection that is perpendicular to the cross section shown in FIG. 13,according to some embodiments.

FIG. 15 illustrates a side view of a storage system, according to someembodiments.

FIG. 16 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the storage system alongline A-A from FIG. 15, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 17 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the storage system alongline B-B from FIG. 15, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 18 illustrates a side view of a storage system, according to someembodiments.

FIG. 19 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the storage system alongline A-A from FIG. 18, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 20 illustrates a side view of a storage system, according to someembodiments.

FIG. 21 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the storage system alongline A-A from FIG. 20, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 22 illustrates a side view of a storage system, according to someembodiments.

FIG. 23 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the storage system alongline A-A from FIG. 22, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 24 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the storage system alongline B-B from FIG. 22, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 25 illustrates a side view of a storage system, according to someembodiments.

FIGS. 26 and 27 illustrate perspective views of chambers with phasechange materials, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 28 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the storage system alongline A-A from FIG. 25, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 29 illustrates a side view of a storage system, according to someembodiments.

FIG. 30 illustrates the proximal end of the storage system shown in FIG.29 after a lid is removed, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 31 illustrates the proximal end of a storage system with anon-cylindrical outer case, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 32 illustrates the proximal end of a storage system with two phasechange materials on the left side, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 33 illustrates a side view of a storage system, according to someembodiments.

FIG. 34 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the storage system alongline B-B from FIG. 33, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 35 illustrates a perspective view of a storage system with twoinserts, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 36 illustrates a perspective view of a storage system with twotemperature-protection subsystems, one of which can be optimized forcold protection and one of which can be optimized for hot protection,according to some embodiments.

FIG. 37 illustrates a front view of a container having a chamberconfigured to hold at least one phase change material, according to someembodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Although certain embodiments and examples are disclosed below, inventivesubject matter extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments toother alternative embodiments and/or uses, and to modifications andequivalents thereof. Thus, the scope of the claims appended hereto isnot limited by any of the particular embodiments described below. Forexample, in any method or process disclosed herein, the acts oroperations of the method or process may be performed in any suitablesequence and are not necessarily limited to any particular disclosedsequence. Various operations may be described as multiple discreteoperations in turn, in a manner that may be helpful in understandingcertain embodiments; however, the order of description should not beconstrued to imply that these operations are order dependent.Additionally, the structures, systems, and/or devices described hereinmay be embodied as integrated components or as separate components.

For purposes of comparing various embodiments, certain aspects andadvantages of these embodiments are described. Not necessarily all suchaspects or advantages are achieved by any particular embodiment. Thus,for example, various embodiments may be carried out in a manner thatachieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taughtherein without necessarily achieving other aspects or advantages as mayalso be taught or suggested herein. The features of each embodiment canbe combined with the other embodiments.

Several embodiments of a storage system for injectable substancesinclude a thermally insulating container. A substance with a high heatcapacity can be located inside the insulating container. The substancecan have a specific heat capacity of at least 2 Joules/gram*Kelvinand/or a volumetric heat capacity of at least 2 Joules/cm̂3*Kelvin. Achamber configured to hold an injectable substance can also be locatedinside the insulating container. In some embodiments, the substance witha high heat capacity at least partially surrounds at least a portion ofthe chamber configured to hold the medicine (e.g., an injectablesubstance).

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a storage system 10. The storagesystem 10 can have a base portion 14 and a lid 18. The storage system 10can be configured to store injectable substances such as epinephrine,adrenaline, and/or insulin such that the temperature of the injectablesubstances is maintained within a suitable temperature range, which canbe approximately room temperature or 75+/−10 degrees Fahrenheit, 75+/−15degrees Fahrenheit, or 75+/−20 degrees Fahrenheit, according to severalembodiments.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross section of the storage system 10 along planeA-A, which extends into the page in FIG. 1. The lid 18 is coupled to thebase portion 18 by threads such that the lid 18 can be twisted onto thebase portion 14 to couple the lid 18 to the base portion 14. A plug 22can seal and/or insulate an open end 26 of the base portion 14. Couplingthe lid 18 to the base portion 14 can push the plug 22 towards the baseportion 14 to seal and/or insulate an internal portion of the storagesystem 10 from the outside environment 30, which is represented in FIG.2 as the sun. The outside environment 30 is the environment outside ofthe storage system 10. For example, the outside environment 30 could bea cold, snowy day or a hot, dry day.

FIG. 3 illustrates the same cross section as illustrated in FIG. 2except items omitted from FIG. 2 to increase the clarity of FIG. 2 arevisible in FIG. 3. In some embodiments, the storage system 10 includes athermal bank 40 that is located inside a cover 48 that insulates thethermal bank 40 from the outside environment 30. The cover 48 isconfigured to insulate the thermal bank 40. The cover 48 can include avacuum chamber, a vacuum flask, foam, and/or plastic walls separated byair. In some embodiments, the cover 48 is an insulated cover. The lid 18can also include one or more insulators such as foam, a vacuum chamber,and plastic walls separated by air. The lid 18 can include athermometer.

In several embodiments, a “thermal bank” can be a component or assemblythat has a heat capacity of at least 400 J/K. In several embodiments,thermal banks have a heat capacity that is large enough to maintain thetemperature of an injectable substance chamber 44 within an acceptabletemperature range for an acceptable period of time. Acceptabletemperature ranges and acceptable periods of time vary widely byapplication and design purpose. In some embodiments, thermal banks areat least partially filled with a liquid or a solid selected to providesufficient heat capacity. In some embodiments, thermal banks have outerwalls made of metal, glass, or plastic and are filled with a substancewith sufficiently high heat capacity. In some embodiments, the substancewith sufficiently high heat capacity is a solid at 75 degreesFahrenheit, so outer walls are sometimes not included in thermal banks.For example, some thermal bank embodiments are sleeves of wax or metal.

Herein, Joule is often abbreviated as J, kelvin is often abbreviated asK, gram is often abbreviated as g, cubic centimeter is often abbreviatedas cm̂3, and Fahrenheit is often abbreviated as F. In some embodiments,the thermal bank 40 has a heat capacity of at least 400 J/K; at least700 J/K; at least 1,400 J/K; at least 2,400 J/K; at least 3,200 J/K; atleast 4,800 J/K; at least 7,200 J/K; at least 20,000 J/K; less than7,200 J/K; and/or less than 30,000 J/K.

In some embodiments, the thermal bank 40 comprises a substance that hasa specific heat capacity of at least 1 J/(g*K) at 75 degrees Fahrenheit,at least 2 J/(g*K) at 75 degrees Fahrenheit, at least 3 J/(g*K) at 75degrees Fahrenheit, or at least 4 J/(g*K) at 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Insome embodiments, the thermal bank 40 comprises a substance with avolumetric heat capacity of at least 1 J/(cm̂3*K) at 75 degreesFahrenheit, at least 2 J/(cm̂3*K) at 75 degrees Fahrenheit, at least 3J/(cm̂3*K) at 75 degrees Fahrenheit, or at least 4 J/(cm̂3*K) at 75degrees Fahrenheit.

In several embodiments, a thermal bank and/or a substance with any ofthe heat capacities described herein has a volume of at least 50 cm̂3and/or less than 2,000 cm̂3; at least 100 cm̂3 and/or less than 1,000 cm̂3;and/or at least 200 cm̂3 and/or less than 500 cm̂3. In some embodiments,the thermal bank is a reservoir or container filled with a fluid such aswater. The reservoir or container can be made of plastic and can be ashell wherein an inner portion of the shell can be at least partiallyfilled with a liquid and/or a phase change material. The center of thereservoir or container can include a channel or void that is fluidlyisolated from the liquid inside the container. The channel or void canbe configured to hold or store an injectable substance or an injectiondevice. In some embodiments, the thermal bank has a generallycylindrical shape and/or a cylindrical channel or cylindrical void.

In some embodiments, the thermal bank 40 comprises ammonia, lithium,water, wax, and/or metal. In some embodiments, the thermal bank 40comprises iron, copper, zinc, tungsten, aluminum, paraffin wax, lithium,granite, and/or magnesium. In some embodiments, the thermal bank 40 is achamber that is at least 40%, at least 60%, or at least 80% filled witha solid and/or liquid such as ammonia, lithium, water, wax, and/ormetal.

In several embodiments, a chamber 44 configured to hold an injectablesubstance is located inside the storage system 10. The injectablesubstance chamber 44 can be located approximately along the central axis46 of the storage system 10. In FIG. 3, the injectable substance chamber44 is highlighted by a dashed rectangle. The injectable substancechamber 44 (e.g., a medicine chamber) can be a hole, void, or open area.The injectable substance chamber 44 can include portions of the centralaxis 46. The injectable substance chamber 44 can include the volumetriccenter 42 of the storage system 10. A least a portion of the injectablesubstance chamber 44 can be at least partially surrounded by the thermalbank 40. In some embodiments, the injectable substance chamber 44 islocated inside a portion of the thermal bank 40. In several embodiments,at least 40%, at least 60%, or at least 80% of the volume of theinjectable substance chamber 44 is located inside the thermal bank 40.As illustrated in FIG. 3, a portion of the injectable substance chamber44 can be located inside the thermal bank 40 even if the thermal bank 40does not completely surround the injectable substance chamber 44.

The injectable substance chamber 44 can be configured to hold aninjectable substance, which may be packaged in a separate storagecontainer such as a plastic vial, a glass jar, and/or an injectiondevice such as a syringe. Example injectable substances can be containedin products such as EpiPens, Twinjects, Adrenaclicks, Anapens, Jexts,Allerjects, Auvi-Qs, and ComboPens. Some injectable substance chambers44 are configured to hold multiple containers of injectable substances.Some injectable substance chambers 44 are configured to hold an inhalerand/or another drug container.

As used herein, the term injectable substance can include a containerthat holds a liquid that users inject into their bodies. Someembodiments are similar to other embodiments described herein except theinjectable substance is replaced with a container of an injectableliquid. The container can be plastic, glass, and/or a syringe.

FIG. 4 illustrates an injectable substance 50 located inside theinjectable substance chamber 44. In several embodiments, the injectablesubstance chamber 44 is isolated from liquids located inside the storagesystem 10 such that the storage system 10 is configured to keep theinjectable substance 50 dry and/or away from liquids. In someembodiments, the storage system 10 does not include any liquids althoughsome embodiments include a liquid, such as water, inside the thermalbank 40.

The injectable substance 50 can include epinephrine, adrenaline,insulin, hormones, and/or neurotransmitters. The injectable substance 50can include liquids or gases used to treat acute allergic reactions, toavoid anaphylactic shock, and/or to treat anaphylactic shock. Theinjectable substance 50 can include liquids or gases used to treatdiabetes. In some embodiments, the injectable substance 50 is anepinephrine auto-injector such as the EpiPen or EpiPen Jr. made by MylanSpecialty L.P. In some embodiments, the injectable substance is replacedby another pharmaceutical product or by another product that benefitsfrom temperature stability.

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of a storage system 11. The manyfeatures described in the context of FIG. 5, including but not limitedto the electronic features and the computer 76, can be combined with anyof the features described in the context of FIGS. 1-4 and FIGS. 6-37. Toreduce redundancy and to increase the clarity of other features in otherfigures, the features described in the context of FIG. 5 are notrepeated for each figure. The lid 18 shown in FIG. 5 can be used withany of the storage systems described herein to combine many electricalelements with many types of storage systems.

The storage system 11 includes a back plug 54, which can be a removableplug made of rubber that threads into the base portion 14 or uses afriction fit (or interference fit) with an opening in the base portion14. Removing the back plug 54 can expose a fill channel 58 that isconfigured to allow a substance with sufficient heat capacity to go intothe thermal bank 40. For example, a user or a manufacturer could openthe back plug 54 and pour a liquid such as water into the thermal bank40. In some embodiments, a user can pour water with a temperature thatis lower than the suitable range if the user intends to enter an outsideenvironment 30 with a temperature that is higher than the suitablerange. In some embodiments, a user can pour water with a temperaturethat is higher than the suitable range if the user intends to enter anoutside environment 30 with a temperature that is lower than thesuitable range.

Some embodiments include a thermometer, which can include a temperatureprobe 64 a. At least a portion of the temperature probe 64 a can belocated inside the injectable substance chamber 44 (e.g., a firstchamber) such that the temperature probe 64 a is configured to measure,evaluate, test, and/or determine the temperature inside the injectablesubstance chamber 44 and/or the temperature of the injectable substance50. The thermometer can also include a temperature display 62 a, whichcan be located outside of the cover 48 such that the temperature display62 a is configured such that a user can read and/or determine thetemperature on the display 62 a without opening the lid 18. A speaker 24can emit a sound to warn the user if a temperature inside the storagesystem 11 exceeds a predetermined temperature threshold or falls below apredetermined temperature threshold.

In some embodiments, a computer 76, a display 62 b, and/or the speaker24 warns the user if a temperature, such as the temperature of the firstchamber, an injectable substance, a medicine, and/or a thermal bank,deviates outside of a predetermined temperature range.

Any of the storage systems described herein can include a thermometer68, which can be integrated into a lid 18, 18 b. The thermometer caninclude a temperature display 62 b and a temperature probe 64 b thatprotrudes distally to pass through portions of the lid 18 and/or theplug 22. In the interest of clearly showing other features in otherfigures, the thermometer 68 and related components are hidden in many ofthe figures. The thermometers 68, 88, the speaker 24, the control system86, the battery 90, the seals 66, the display 62 b, the communicationsystem 70, the vent 84, the temperature probe 64 b, and relatedcomponents can be included in many types of storage systems 10, 11, 12,200 a, 200 b, 200 c, 200 d, 200 e, 200 f, 200 g, 200 h, 200 i, 300.

The lid 18 can be used with any of the storage system embodiments shownin the figures and/or described herein. The thermometers 68, 88, thespeaker 24, the control system 86, the battery 90, the seals 66, thedisplay 62 b, the communication system 70, the vent 84, the temperatureprobe 64 b, and related components can be integrated into the lid 18 bshown in FIG. 15. Thus, the lid 18 b can include all the features of thelid 18 (shown in FIG. 5).

The battery 90 can supply electrical power to the thermometers 68, 88,the speaker 24, the control system 86, the displays 62 a, 62 b, thecommunication system 70, the vent 84, the temperature probes 64 a, 64 b,and related components. In some embodiments, the battery 90 alsosupplies electrical power to a temperature control system 92, which caninclude a heater and/or a refrigerator. The temperature control system92 can be included in any of the storage systems described herein (e.g.,10, 11, 12, 200 a, 200 b, 200 c, 200 d, 200 e, 200 f, 200 g, 200 h, 200i, 300), however, many storage systems do not include a temperaturecontrol system 92. The communication system 70 can show an alert on thedisplay 62 b, emit an alert sound from the speaker 24, and/or send analert to the computer 76 if the battery's capacity (e.g., charge level)falls below a predetermined threshold.

A temperature display 62 b can be coupled to the lid 18 such that thetemperature display faces outward (e.g., in a proximal direction) fromthe lid 18 and faces outward from the proximal end of the storage system11. A temperature probe 64 b can protrude distally (e.g., through aportion of the central axis of the storage system 11) into a firstchamber (e.g., the injectable substance chamber 44). A portion of theplug 22 can be hollow. The temperature probe 64 b can extend through thehollow portion of the plug 22. The plug can also be filled withinsulation, such as foam insulation. At least a portion of thetemperature probe 64 b can be surrounded by the insulation locatedinside the plug 22 and/or inside the proximal portion of the lid 18.

Placing the temperature probe 64 b through the lid 18 and/or the plug 22can be advantageous compared to placing the temperature probe 64 bthrough a vacuum chamber (because the temperature probe 64 b couldjeopardize the airtight nature of various vacuum chambers).

Seals 66 can be located along portions of the temperature probe 64 bthat pass through the plug 22 and/or portions of the lid 18. The seals66 can wrap around the probe 64 b.

In some embodiments, the plug 22 is integrated into the lid 18. In someembodiments, the plug 22 is a separate component from the lid 18. Evenif the plug 22 is a separate component, in several embodiments, the lid18 presses the plug 22 distally into an opening of the first chamber.

The thermometer 68 can include a wireless communication system 70 towirelessly communicate with a computer 76. The computer 76 can belocated remotely relative to the storage system 11. Thus, the storagesystem 11 can send information regarding the temperature of a firstchamber (e.g., the injectable substance chamber 44) to the computer 76via any suitable wireless communication system including Bluetooth,WiFi, cellular communication, radio communication, and/or the Internet.The computer 76 can be a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a tabletcomputer, a watch, a smartphone, and/or any other computing devicecapable of receiving and then displaying temperature information.

Storage systems 10, 11, 12, 200 a, 200 b, 200 c, 200 d, 200 e, 200 f,200 g, 200 h, 200 i, 300 can be configured to send alerts to thecomputer 76 regarding temperatures inside chambers (e.g., an injectablesubstance chamber, a first chamber) that are higher than a predeterminedthreshold or lower than a predetermined threshold. The predeterminedthresholds can be entered into software (e.g., an “app”) that runs onthe computer 76. The predetermined thresholds can be entered into thecontrol system 86 via a keypad coupled to the storage system 11. In someembodiments, the thresholds are equal to a minimum storage temperatureand a maximum storage temperature for the medicine as recommended by themanufacturer of the medicine. Thus, the thermometer can measure atemperature of the first chamber and then can send an alert to thecomputer if the measured temperature is above or below predeterminedthresholds. The alert can be a push notification. The alert can bedisplayed on the screen of the computer 76. The alert can be a soundemitted from a speaker of the computer or a speaker 24 of the storagesystem. The alert can show the current temperature inside the firstchamber, the maximum temperature within the first chamber (e.g., withina certain time period), the minimum temperature within the first chamber(e.g., within a certain time period), the minimum and/or maximum storagetemperature, and/or the predetermined thresholds set by a user of thecomputer 76 and/or a monitoring system 82. The monitoring system 82 caninclude the computer 76 and a storage system (e.g., 10, 11, 12, 200 a,200 b, 200 c, 200 d, 200 e, 200 f, 200 g, 200 h, 200 i, 300).

In several embodiments, the alert can be a sound emitted by the speaker24 of the lid 18 (or of another part of a storage system). The speaker24 can emit a sound (e.g., an alert) in response to an internaltemperature of the storage system being above or below a predeterminedrange (e.g., a range defined by the user based on the minimum andmaximum recommended storage temperatures), and/or in response to theinternal temperature being within a predetermined number of degrees ofthe minimum and maximum recommended storage temperatures.

In some embodiments, the monitoring system 82 determines a temperatureinside the first chamber, and then calculates, estimates, and/ordisplays a time until the temperature of the first chamber reaches theminimum and/or maximum storage temperature, and/or the predeterminedthresholds. A display screen (e.g., a display of the computer 76, thetemperature display 62 b) can show an indication of the currenttemperature inside the first chamber and can show a time until thetemperature inside the first chamber reaches the minimum and/or maximumstorage temperature, and/or the predetermined thresholds. For example,the display screen should show “69 degrees Fahrenheit” as a recentmeasurement of the temperature inside the first chamber and could show“5 hours” as the estimate time until the temperature of the firstchamber reaches the minimum and/or maximum storage temperature, and/orone of the predetermined thresholds. The time until the temperaturereaches one of the limits can be updated periodically.

In several embodiments, the display 62 b includes lights (e.g., a greenlight, an orange light, and a red light). A first light can indicatethat the internal temperature is within a safe range. A second light canindicate the internal temperature is within a certain amount of thepredetermined maximum or minimum storage temperatures (e.g., within atleast one degree and/or within at least five degrees of thepredetermined maximum or minimum storage temperatures without beingabove the maximum storage temperature or below the minimum storagetemperature). A third light can indicate that the internal temperatureis above the maximum storage temperature or below the minimum storagetemperature.

In some embodiments, the monitoring system 82 detects a temperature ofan external environment (e.g., via a thermometer 88 configured tomeasure an external temperature). Then, the monitoring system 82displays a notification on the computer 76 or display 62 a, 62 b thatinstructs the user to open and/or close an opening to the first chamberin response to a comparison of an external temperature to thetemperature of the first chamber.

If the temperature of the first chamber is warmer than a targettemperature, but the external temperature is cooler than the firstchamber, then the notification can instruct the user to open the openingto the first chamber. If the temperature of the first chamber is coolerthan a target temperature, but the external temperature is warmer thanthe first chamber, then the notification can instruct the user to openthe opening to the first chamber.

If an external temperature is warmer than a target temperature, but thefirst chamber is cooler than the external temperature, then thenotification can instruct the user to close the opening to the firstchamber. If an external temperature is cooler than a target temperature,but the first chamber is warmer than the external temperature, then thenotification can instruct the user to close the opening to the firstchamber.

In some embodiments, instead of or in addition to the notifications, themonitoring system 82 can automatically open and close an opening (e.g.,a vent 84) to the first chamber. The vent 84 can be an automatic ventthat can open and close in response to commands from an electroniccontrol system 86 that is part of the storage system (e.g., 10, 11, 12,200 a, 200 b, 200 c, 200 d, 200 e, 200 f, 200 g, 200 h, 200 i, 300).

The vent 84 can be a closeable passageway that extends from an externalopening to a portion of the first chamber. The vent 84 can include amotorized seal configured to open and close in response to commands fromthe electronic control system 86. The computer 76 can wirelessly setcontrol parameters for the vent 84.

If the temperature of the first chamber is warmer than a targettemperature, but the external temperature is cooler than the firstchamber, then the electronic control system 86 can open the vent 84 tothe first chamber. If the temperature of the first chamber is coolerthan a target temperature, but the external temperature is warmer thanthe first chamber, then the electronic control system 86 can open thevent 84 to the first chamber.

If an external temperature is warmer than a target temperature, but thefirst chamber is cooler than the external temperature, then theelectronic control system 86 can close the vent 84 to the first chamber.If an external temperature is cooler than a target temperature, but thefirst chamber is warmer than the external temperature, then theelectronic control system 86 can close the vent 84 to the first chamber.

FIG. 6 illustrates thicknesses of the thermal bank 40, according toseveral embodiments. In some embodiments, the radial thickness (asillustrated by dashed arrow B) of the thermal bank 40 is at least 3millimeters (“mm”) and/or less than 100 mm; at least 7 mm and/or lessthan 200 mm; and/or at least 20 mm and/or less than 200 mm. In someembodiments, the axial thickness (as illustrated by dashed arrow B) ofthe thermal bank 40 is at least 10 mm and/or less than 100 mm; at least20 mm and/or less than 200 mm; and/or at least 40 mm and/or less than200 mm.

Some embodiments include an insulated container configured to maintaininjectable substances at approximately room temperature. In severalembodiments, the insulated container can include a chamber configured tohold an injectable substance. The chamber can be surrounded by asubstance with high heat capacity. The substance with high heat capacitycan be surrounded by an insulated cover.

FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of a storage system 12. Thestorage system 12 can include an outer case 148, which can be made ofplastic or metal. The storage system can include a vacuum chamber (e.g.,in a vacuum flask 160). The vacuum flask 160 can be located inside theouter case 148 such that the outer case 148 can be configured to protectthe vacuum flask 160 from damage such as denting or cracking. The vacuumflask 160 can comprise an inner wall and an outer wall with a gaspressure between the inner wall and the outer wall that is less thanatmospheric pressure. In some embodiments, the pressure between theinner wall and the outer wall can be less than 60% of atmosphericpressure, less than 40% of atmospheric pressure, or less than 20% ofatmospheric pressure. The atmospheric pressure can be measured at sealevel. The vacuum flask 160 can include a first flask 170 placed insidea second flask 180. The first flask 170 and the second flask 180 can bejoined at the neck such that the area between the first flask 170 andthe second flask 180 is hermetically sealed from the air outside of thearea between the first flask 170 and the second flask 180. The vacuumflask 160 can be made of metal, glass, foam, or plastic.

A thermal bank 140 can be located inside the vacuum flask 160. In someembodiments, the thermal bank 140 comprises a heat capacity of at least4,800 J/K. The thermal bank 140 can comprise a void 154 that extendsfrom an inner portion of the thermal bank to an outer portion of thethermal bank. In some embodiments, the void is at least 1 cm wide and/orless than 10 cm wide; or at least 2 cm wide and/or less than 20 cm wide.The void 154 can be an injectable substance chamber. In FIG. 7, a dashedrectangle is used to highlight the void 154.

In several embodiments, the void 154 is configured to store, hold,and/or contain an injectable substance 50, an injection device 150, aliquid manufactured to inject into a human body, and/or a syringe. Insome embodiments, an injectable substance 50, an injection device 150,epinephrine, adrenaline, insulin, and/or a syringe is located inside thevoid. A removable lid 18 can be configured to allow a user to remove theinjectable substance 50, the injection device 150, epinephrine,adrenaline, insulin, and/or a syringe from the storage system. Theremovable lid 18 can press a rubber plug 122 onto an end of the vacuumflask 160 and/or onto a base portion 114.

Various embodiments are similar to other embodiments described hereinexcept the injectable substance 50 is replaced with an injection device150 that is at least partially filled with a pharmaceutical agent,epinephrine, adrenaline, insulin, a liquid manufactured for injectioninto a human body, and/or a liquid. FIG. 7 illustrates an injectiondevice 150. An injection device 150 can be a syringe. In someembodiments, the injection device 150 is an EpiPen, a syringe withepinephrine, a syringe with insulin, a syringe with adrenaline, anauto-injector configured to deliver a liquid under the skin of a humanor animal, and/or a device configured to deliver a drug under the skinof a human or animal. In some embodiments, the injection device 150comprises a reservoir at least partially filled with a liquid. Theinjection device 150 can also comprise an orifice that is configured todeliver the liquid under the skin. The injection device 150 can alsocomprise a needle, a nozzle, and/or a tube configured to deliver aliquid and/or pharmaceutical substance under the skin.

Various embodiments are similar to other embodiments described hereinexcept the injectable substance is replaced with a pharmaceutical, apharmaceutical agent, a pharmaceutical substance, an inhaler, and/or amedical device. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical agent and/orpharmaceutical substance is a medicinal drug 190, which can be a gas,liquid, or solid. For example, the drug 190 can be a medicationcontained in an inhaler for the treatment of asthma. In someembodiments, the drug 190 is a steroid, such as Flovent or fluticasonepropionate, that reduces the release of substances in the body thatcause inflammation to prevent asthma attacks.

FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment with an outer case 148 and a lid 18. Avacuum flask 160 was placed inside the outer case 148. A thermal bank140 was placed inside the vacuum flask 160. An injectable substance wasplaced inside the vacuum flask 160. The lid 18 was closed such that theouter case 148 and the lid 18 completely surround the injectablesubstance. The outer case 148 can be an insulated cover and/or caninclude insulation.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of a thermal bank 40 a with aninjectable substance chamber 44 or void. The thermal bank 40 a can be acontainer with solid outer walls 194 and can be at least partiallyfilled with a liquid 198.

The thermal bank 40 a can be located or placed inside a vacuum flask orvacuum chamber. The thermal bank 40 a can comprise any of the heatcapacities, specific heat capacities, volumetric heat capacities, and/orheat capacity characteristics described herein. The thermal bank 40 acan comprise an injectable substance chamber 44 or void that extendsfrom an inner portion 72 of the thermal bank 40 a to an outer portion 74of the thermal bank 40 a (as illustrated in FIG. 6), wherein theinjectable substance chamber 44 or void is at least 1 cm wide and 4 cmlong. In some embodiments, an injectable substance, an injection device,a drug, a pharmaceutical agent, a pharmaceutical substance, and/or aninhaler is located inside the injectable substance chamber 44 or void.In FIG. 8, the injectable substance chamber 44 is a void. The thermalbank 40 a can be substantially cylindrical. The injectable substancechamber 44 or void can be substantially cylindrical.

FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment with an inhaler 152 located, placed,and positioned inside the void 154. An inhaler or puffer is a medicaldevice typically used for delivering medicine into the body via thelungs. Inhalers are commonly used to treat asthma and chronicobstructive pulmonary disease.

In some embodiments, storage systems do not use battery power and/orelectricity. While some embodiments use electrical power, severalembodiments do not use electrical power and/or do not use electricalpower to control or alter the temperature inside the storage system 12.

In some embodiments, storage systems are substantially cylindrical. Forexample, the storage system 12 in FIG. 9 is substantially cylindrical.

Some methods of storing an injectable substance include obtaining astorage system configured to store an injectable substance, wherein thestorage system comprises a thermal bank located inside an insulatedcover. Several methods include maintaining the thermal bank in a firstenvironment with a temperature of at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit andplacing an injectable substance inside the storage system while thethermal bank has a temperature of at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Somemethods include moving the storage system with the injectable substancelocated inside to a second environment with a temperature of less than60 degrees Fahrenheit and moving the storage system to a thirdenvironment with a temperature of more than 60 degrees before thetemperature of the thermal bank is less than 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Someembodiments are similar to the above embodiment except 60 degreesFahrenheit is replaced with 65 degrees Fahrenheit, 55 degreesFahrenheit, or 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

Several methods include maintaining the thermal bank in a firstenvironment with a temperature of at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit andless than 85 degrees Fahrenheit and placing an injectable substanceinside the storage system while the thermal bank has a temperature of atleast 60 degrees Fahrenheit and less than 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Somemethods include maintaining the thermal bank in a first environment witha temperature of at least 65 degrees Fahrenheit and less than 80 degreesFahrenheit and placing an injectable substance inside the storage systemwhile the thermal bank has a temperature of at least 65 degreesFahrenheit and less than 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Several method embodiments include obtaining a storage system with aninternal chamber such as an injectable substance chamber wherein theinternal chamber has a temperature and the storage system is configurednot to use electricity, electrical power, or batteries to alter thetemperature of the internal chamber. In some embodiments, the storagesystem is configured not to use electricity, electrical power,electrical power cords, or batteries.

Some method embodiments include placing or maintaining the storagesystem in a first environment, which has a temperature within a firsttemperature range, for a first period of time. In some embodiments, thefirst environment can be indoors, approximately 77 degrees Fahrenheit,approximately 74 degrees Fahrenheit, approximately room temperature,and/or another temperature or temperature range listed herein. In someembodiments, he first temperature range can be approximately roomtemperature; at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit and/or less than 80 degreesFahrenheit; at least 65 degrees Fahrenheit and/or less than 85 degreesFahrenheit; equal to or greater than about 59 degrees Fahrenheit and/orless than or equal to 86 degrees Fahrenheit; or at least 55 degreesFahrenheit and/or less than or equal to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The firstperiod of time can be the time necessary for the temperature of thestorage system, thermal bank, and/or internal chamber to reach atemperature that is within any one of the ranges listed above and/orwithin the first temperature range. Some method embodiments includeplacing or maintaining the storage system in the first environment untilheat transfer between the first environment and the storage systemcauses the temperature of the storage system to be within any one of theranges listed above and/or within the first temperature range.

Some method embodiments include placing a medicinal drug, an injectablesubstance, an injection device, an inhaler, and/or a pharmaceuticalsubstance inside the storage system while the storage system has atemperature within any one of the ranges listed above and/or within thefirst temperature range. The temperature of the storage system can bedefined by the temperature of the thermal bank, the weighted averagetemperature of the storage system (where the temperature of eachmaterial is weighted by the heat capacity of the material), or any othersuitable method.

Several method embodiments include closing a lid of the storage systemwhile the storage system is located in the first environment with thefirst temperature such that the storage system surrounds the medicinaldrug, injectable substance, injection device, inhaler, and/orpharmaceutical substance located inside the storage system.

Some method embodiments include removing the storage system from thefirst environment and transporting the storage system towards a secondenvironment while the storage system has a temperature within the firsttemperature range. In other words, in some embodiments, the storagesystem does not have cold packs (such as ice) or heat packs (such aschemical hand warmers) located inside the storage system. For example,in some embodiments, the storage system can have a weighted averagetemperature of approximately room temperature when the storage system isremoved from the first environment and transported towards the secondenvironment.

Several method embodiments include moving the storage system to a secondenvironment with a second temperature range for a second period of time.In some embodiments, the second temperature range comprises alltemperatures except for the temperatures within the first temperaturerange. In some embodiments, the second temperature range is less thanthe first temperature range and/or greater than the first temperaturerange. In some embodiments, the second temperature range is less thanroom temperature and/or greater than room temperature; less than 70degrees Fahrenheit and/or greater than 80 degrees Fahrenheit; less than65 degrees Fahrenheit and/or greater than 85 degrees Fahrenheit; lessthan 59 degrees Fahrenheit and/or greater than 86 degrees Fahrenheit;less than 55 degrees Fahrenheit and/or greater than 90 degreesFahrenheit; or less than 32 degrees Fahrenheit and/or greater than 100degrees Fahrenheit.

The second period of time can be a time during which the temperature ofthe internal chamber stays within the first temperature range. Somemethod embodiments include maintaining the storage system in the secondenvironment while the temperature of the internal chamber stays withinthe first temperature range. Some method embodiments include moving thestorage system from the second environment to a third environment beforethe temperature of the internal chamber deviates outside of the firsttemperature range. Some method embodiments include moving the storagesystem from the second environment to the third environment before thetemperature of the internal chamber changes to a temperature outside ofthe first temperature range. Is some embodiments, the temperature of thethird environment is equal to any of the temperatures and/or temperatureranges described above for the first environment. The temperature of thethird environment can be different than the temperature of the firstenvironment. In some embodiments, the third environment is the firstenvironment such that the storage system is moved from the firstenvironment to the second environment and then back to the firstenvironment. Some embodiments include removing and/or at least partiallyopening the lid after the storage system is returned to the firstenvironment and/or moved to the third environment.

Some embodiments include maintaining the storage system at approximatelyroom temperature; placing a substance inside the storage system; movingthe storage system to an environment that is hotter or colder than roomtemperature while the storage system has an internal temperature ofapproximately room temperature and/or a temperature within a suitablerange; and then returning the storage system to approximately roomtemperature before the internal temperature deviates outside of asuitable range. The suitable range can be the storage temperature rangerecommended by the manufacturer of the substance and/or a temperaturerange recommended and/or approved by the manufacturer of the substancefor temporary temperature excursions. Some embodiments include returningthe storage system to approximately room temperature before therecommended and/or approved time of the temporary temperature excursionexpires.

Several embodiments of a method of storing a medicinal injectablesubstance include obtaining an outer case and a lid. Some embodimentsinclude placing a vacuum flask inside at least a portion of the outercase. Placing a vacuum flask inside at least a portion of the outer casecan include placing an outer case around at least a portion of a vacuumflask. Some embodiments include placing a thermal bank with a heatcapacity of at least 400 J/K inside the vacuum flask. Severalembodiments include placing an injection device inside the vacuum flask,wherein the injection device is at least partially filled with themedicinal injectable substance. Some embodiments include coupling thelid to the outer case such that the outer case and the lid surround theinjection device.

Referring now to FIG. 9, the thermal bank 140 can be a phase changesystem having multiple phase change materials. The multiple phase changematerials can provide protection from temperatures above and below roomtemperatures. Thus, one system can shield medicine from temperaturevariations in both directions without requiring previous knowledge ofwhether a person will bring the storage system into hot or cold weather.

One way to build a thermal bank 140 that resists temperature decreasesand increases is to include two phase change materials inside thethermal bank. The first phase change material can resist temperaturedecreases due to cold outside environments. The second phase changematerial can resist temperature increases due to hot outsideenvironments.

The first phase change material can have a high heat of fusion to enablea relatively lightweight system that can still provide sufficientresistance to temperature changes. The first phase change material canrelease large amounts of heat before allowing the temperature inside thefirst chamber to decrease. For example, the first phase change materialcan release large amounts of heat (per gram of the material) as thematerial changes from a liquid to a solid. The melting temperature ofthe first phase change material can be less than 70 Fahrenheit (e.g.,just below room temperature) and greater than the minimum recommendedmedicine storage temperature.

For example, if a manufacturer of a medicine recommends a minimumstorage temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit, then the first phasechange material can be selected with a melting temperature between 45degrees Fahrenheit and around 70 degrees Fahrenheit (e.g., below a roomtemperature). Thus, when a temperature inside the insulated containergoes below the melting point, the first phase change material releaseslarge amounts of heat before allowing the temperature inside the firstchamber to significantly decrease. As a result, the first phase changematerial dramatically prolongs the time required to decrease thetemperature inside the first chamber below the minimum storagetemperature.

This additional time can enable the medicine to remain outside muchlonger without reducing the efficacy of the medicine than would be thecase without the storage system. Moreover, the phase change enables thestorage system to much more compact than would be the case with athermal bank 140 that only uses water to resist temperature changes (attemperatures above 32 degrees Fahrenheit).

The second phase change material of the thermal bank 140 can resisttemperature increases due to hot outside environments. The second phasechange material can have a high heat of fusion and a melting temperaturethat is greater than room temperature and less than the maximumrecommended medicine storage temperature. For example, if the maximumrecommended storage temperature is 85 degrees Fahrenheit, then in someembodiments, the second phase change material can have a meltingtemperature between 80 degrees Fahrenheit and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.Thus, the second phase change material can absorb a large amount of heat(to melt) before the second phase change material would allow thetemperature inside the storage system 12 to increase significantly abovethe melting temperature of the second phase change material.

The rate of heat transfer between the outside environment 30 and thefirst chamber (e.g., the void 154) is reduced by reducing thetemperature difference between the outside environment and the thermalbank 140 (during melting or solidifying). Thus, phase change materialscan be selected that have a melting point near the minimum storagetemperature (e.g., without being less than the minimum storagetemperature) or near the maximum storage temperature (e.g., withoutbeing greater than the maximum storage temperature). (The minimum andmaximum storage temperatures can be recommended by the manufacturer ofthe medicine and are often included with literature provided with themedicine.) “Near the minimum” or “near the maximum” can be within 10degrees Fahrenheit.

Many different materials can be suitable phase change materials as longas the materials have a melting temperature within the target range (asexplained above). Entropy Solutions, Inc. has an office in Plymouth,Minn. and provides a wide range of suitable phase change materials underthe brand name PureTemp. Climator Sweden AB sells a wide range of phasechange materials under the brand name ClimSel. Examples of phase changematerials include sodium sulfate, trimethylolethane combined with water,Mn(NO3)2*6H2O+MnCl2*4H2O, NaCl*Na2SO4*10H2O, paraffin 16-carbons, andparaffin 18-carbons.

In several embodiments, phase change materials spontaneously melt and/orsolidify in response to temperature (without requiring an additionalactivation step). For example, just a drop in temperature below amelting temperature can cause a spontaneous phase change material tofreeze. Just a rise in temperature above a melting temperature can causea spontaneous phase change material to solidify.

The phase change materials are not the only part of the system thatreduces the rate of temperature change inside the first chamber (e.g.,the void 154). An insulated container can reduce the rate of heattransfer. Some embodiments include a vacuum flask. Thermos L.L.C.manufactures a wide range of vacuum flasks.

In several embodiments, the interior of the vacuum flask is cylindrical.The chambers that hold the phase change system plus the first chambercan form a cylindrical shape that is tailored to the interior of thevacuum flask. The phase change system can have a compliant externalhousing with an outer diameter that is larger than the diameter of anopening to the vacuum flask. The compliant external housing (e.g., acompliant perimeter) can enable pressing the phase change system intothe vacuum flask in spite of the outer diameter of the external housingbeing larger than the diameter of the opening to the vacuum flask.

In several embodiments, storage systems include an insulated containercomprising a base and an opening configurable to enable removing amedicine from inside the insulated container; a first chamber locatedinside the insulated container, wherein the first chamber is configuredto hold the medicine; a first phase change material located inside theinsulated container; and/or a second phase change material locatedinside the insulated container.

In some embodiments, the first phase change material can have a firstmelting temperature greater than 40 degrees Fahrenheit and less than 74degrees Fahrenheit. The second phase change material can have a secondmelting temperature greater than 74 degrees Fahrenheit and less than 100degrees Fahrenheit. The first melting temperature can be at least fourdegrees Fahrenheit less than the second melting temperature. Forexample, 74 degrees Fahrenheit can be approximately equal to a typicalroom temperature (although room temperatures commonly vary in roomshaving temperature controlled environments enabled by heating and/or airconditioning).

Using a “temperature dividing line” of 74 degrees Fahrenheit helpsenable some embodiments to avoid inappropriately triggering meltingand/or freezing while the storage system is located in a temperaturecontrolled room. Imagine if the second phase change material had amelting temperature of less than 74 degrees. As a result, the secondphase change material could completely melt before a person even movedthe storage system from a room temperature into a hot environment thatis warmer than a maximum recommended storage temperature of themedicine. In this case the phase change of the second phase changematerial would not help reduce the rate of temperature rise inside thefirst chamber in response to heat transfer caused by the hotenvironment. Similarly, this “temperature dividing line” helps ensurethat the first phase change material will have a sufficiently lowmelting temperature such that the first phase change material should notsolidify before the storage system is moved from a room temperature toan environment that is colder than a minimum recommended storagetemperature.

The “temperature dividing line” can vary based on what medicine thestorage system will hold. For example, some medicine manufacturersrecommend refrigerating certain medicines. In several embodiments, thetemperature dividing line is 36 degrees Fahrenheit. Thus, the firstphase change material can have a melting temperature above 0 degreesFahrenheit and/or below 36 degrees Fahrenheit. The second phase changematerial can have a melting temperature above 36 degrees Fahrenheitand/or below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

In some embodiments, the storage system is configured to cause the firstphase change material to solidify when a first temperature of the firstchamber falls below the first melting temperature, and/or the storagesystem is configured to cause the second phase change material to meltwhen the first temperature of the first chamber rises above the secondmelting temperature. As a result, the storage system can be configuredto temporarily protect the medicine from a first environment that iscolder than a safe minimum storage temperature and/or from a secondenvironment that is hotter than a safe maximum storage temperature.Manufacturers of medicines can recommend minimum storage temperaturesand/or maximum storage temperatures for medicines.

In several embodiments, the first phase change material has a firstlatent heat of at least 40 kJ/kg, and/or the second phase changematerial has a second latent heat of at least 40 kJ/kg. In someembodiments, the first phase change material has a first latent heat ofat least 110 kJ/kg, and/or the second phase change material has a secondlatent heat of at least 110 kJ/kg. In several embodiments, the firstphase change material has a first latent heat of at least 180 kJ/kg,and/or the second phase change material has a second latent heat of atleast 180 kJ/kg. These latent heat properties can dramatically reducethe necessary size of the phase change materials, which enablesdramatically reducing the overall volume of the storage system.

FIG. 10 illustrates a side view of a storage system, according to someembodiments. FIG. 11 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a storagesystem along plane A-A, which extends into the page in FIG. 10,according to some embodiments. Referring now to FIG. 11, the storagesystem 200 can include an outer cylindrical wall 202 and an innercylindrical wall 204 coupled to the outer cylindrical wall 202.Cylindrical walls can be made of thin, rigid metal and can be joined atthe proximal end of the base portion 114. A vacuum chamber 208 can belocated between the inner cylindrical wall 204 and the outer cylindricalwall 202 to form a vacuum flask 160 (labeled in FIG. 9).

A first chamber 210 is at least partially surrounded by the innercylindrical wall 204. As used herein, “surrounded” means that an objectwraps 360 degrees around another object. “Surrounded” does notnecessarily mean an object completely encloses another object in alldirections. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 11, the innercylindrical wall 204 surrounds the first chamber even though the firstchamber 210 has an opening that is covered by the lid 18. The firstchamber 210 can hold a medicine 212 such as an inhaler or an injectiondevice such as an EpiPen.

In FIG. 11, the thermal bank is a phase change system 214. In theinterest of clarity, FIG. 11 does not illustrate various detailsregarding the phase change system 214. Additional details regarding thephase change system 214 are shown in FIG. 12, which illustrates across-sectional view along line B-B from FIG. 10.

Several embodiments do not include an outer case 148, which can includeinsulation 218. The outer case 148 can be cylindrical.

The phase change system 214 can include a second chamber 220 having afirst phase change material 222 and can include a third chamber 230having a second phase change material 232. The phase change system 214is at least partially surrounded by the inner cylindrical wall 204. Thestorage system 200 has a central axis 234 that runs from a proximal end236 of the storage system 200 to a distal end 238 of the storage system200 (shown in FIG. 10). A third wall 240 passes through the central axis234 to separate the second chamber 220 from the third chamber 230. Thethird wall 240 separates a left half of the phase change system 214(e.g., the third chamber 230) from a right half of the phase changesystem 214 (e.g., the second chamber 220). The central axis 234 islocated in a plane, and the third wall 240 is located in the same plane.

The first phase change material 222 can have a first melting temperaturegreater than 40 degrees Fahrenheit and less than 74 degrees Fahrenheit.The second phase change material 232 can have a second meltingtemperature greater than 74 degrees Fahrenheit and less than 100 degreesFahrenheit. Several embodiments include different melting temperatures.

FIG. 13 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a storage system 200 ashown from the same perspective as FIG. 12. The storage system 200 aincludes a side view and cross-sectional view that look like the sideview and cross-sectional view shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.

Referring now to FIG. 13, at least a majority of the first chamber 210 ais located between a first wall 224 and a second wall 226 that arelocated within the inner cylindrical wall 204. The first wall 224extends across an interior portion from one side of the innercylindrical wall 204 to another side of the inner cylindrical wall 204.(The first wall 224 is not embedded in the inner cylindrical wall 204.)The first wall 224 separates the first chamber 210 a from a first sideof the phase change system 214 a. The second wall 226 separates thefirst chamber 210 a from a second side of the phase change system 214 a.

The first wall 224 separates the first chamber 210 a from the secondchamber 220 a that has the first phase change material 222 a. The secondwall 226 separates the first chamber 210 a from the third chamber 230 athat has the second phase change material 232 a. The first chamber 210a, the second chamber 220 a, and the third chamber 230 a extend distallyparallel relative to each other (e.g., into the page in FIG. 13). Thefirst chamber 210 a and the phase change system 214 a form a cylindricalshape.

The first wall 224 and second wall 226 can be rigid or compliant. Rigidwalls can be rigid plastic or metal. Compliant walls can be made fromplastic or rubber configured to bend without breaking to conform to manydifferent shapes. In some embodiments, the first wall 224 and secondwall 226 are compliant so they can move radially outward such that awidth between the first wall 224 and second wall 226 expands to enlargethe first chamber 210 a.

FIG. 14 illustrates the storage system 200 a from FIG. 13 along a crosssection that is perpendicular to the cross section shown in FIG. 13. Thelid 18 (shown in FIG. 11) was removed. The opening 244 is coupled to thefirst chamber 210 a such that the opening 244 provides access to thefirst chamber 210 a to enable removing the medicine 212 from theinsulated container (e.g., the storage system 200 a). When the opening244 is unsealed, a person can reach into the opening 244 to grab themedicine 212 in the first chamber 210 a.

Referring now to FIG. 13, the first chamber 210 a has a longestdimension (into the page). The second chamber 220 a has a longestdimension (also into the page). The first chamber 210 a and the secondchamber 220 a are oriented such that the longest dimension of the firstchamber 210 a and the longest dimension of the second chamber 220 a bothpoint towards the same exterior side of the storage system, which in theillustrated embodiment is the distal end (e.g., 238 in FIG. 10). Whenthe longest dimension of the first chamber 210 a and the longestdimension of the second chamber 220 a both point towards the sameexterior side of the storage system 200 a, a portion of the firstchamber 210 a and at least a portion of the second chamber 220 a runapproximately alongside each other (e.g., even though a wall 224separates the first chamber 210 a from the second chamber 220 a). Thefirst chamber 210 a, the second chamber 220 a, and the third chamber 230a are oriented such that they extend distally in a first direction awayfrom the opening 244 (shown in FIG. 14).

Referring now to FIGS. 13 and 14, the insulated container comprises acentral axis 234. The first chamber 210 a extends distally away from theopening 244 such that at least a majority of the central axis 234 islocated inside the first chamber 210 a.

The second chamber 220 a and the third chamber 230 a are located outsideof the first chamber 210 a and are located radially outward 246 from thecentral axis 234. (The arrow illustrated in FIG. 14 is just one exampleof a direction that is radially outward relative to the central axis234.)

FIG. 15 illustrates a side view of a storage system 200 b. The lid 18 bcan include thermometers 68, 88, a temperature display 62 b, acommunication system 70, a vent 84, a temperature probe 64 b, a speaker24, seals 66, and a control system 86 (as shown in FIG. 5). Thus, thelid 18 b can enable a storage system to communicate with the computer76.

FIG. 16 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the storage system 200 balong line A-A from FIG. 15. The lid 18 b is hidden in FIG. 16, but isshown in FIG. 15. FIG. 17 illustrates a cross-sectional view of thestorage system 200 b along line B-B from FIG. 15.

Referring now to FIGS. 16 and 17, the phase change system 214 b islocated in center portion of the area located within the innercylindrical wall 204. A first chamber 210 b and a fourth chamber 250 areconfigured to hold medicine 212. The first chamber 210 b and the fourthchamber 250 are located radially outward from the phase change system214 b. A first wall 224 and a second wall 226 separate the phase changesystem 214 b from the first chamber 210 b and the fourth chamber 250.The first chamber 210 b is located radially outward from the centralaxis 234 (shown in FIG. 15) on a first side of the phase change system214 b. The fourth chamber 250 is located radially outward from thecentral axis 234 on a second side of the phase change system 214 b.

Various chambers hold phase change materials. Several embodimentsinclude 2, 4, 10, or more chambers to hold various phase changematerials, which can have many different melting temperatures. Asillustrated in FIG. 17, a second chamber 220 b holds a first phasechange material 220 b. A third chamber 230 b holds a second phase changematerial 232 b.

The phase change system 214 b is located in a central portion of thestorage system such that at least a majority of the central axis 234(shown in FIG. 15) is located inside the phase change system 214 b. Afirst wall 224 separates the first chamber 214 b from the phase changesystem 214 b. A second wall 226 separates the phase change system 214 bfrom the fourth chamber 250, which can be configured to hold aninjection device. A third wall 252 passes through the central axis 234to separate the second chamber 220 b from the third chamber 230 b.

Referring now to FIGS. 15 and 16, the storage system 200 b has aremovable lid 18 b coupled to an opening 244 b of the first chamber 210b such that removing the lid 18 b facilitates accessing both the firstchamber 210 b and the fourth chamber 250 to remove an injection devicefrom the fourth chamber 250.

FIG. 18 illustrates a side view of a storage system 200 c. FIG. 19illustrates a cross-sectional view of the storage system 200 c alongline A-A from FIG. 18. The lid 18 b is hidden in FIG. 19, but is shownin FIG. 18. The storage system 200 c comprises a central axis 234. Thefirst chamber 210 c extends distally away from an opening 244 c of thefirst chamber 210 c such that at least a portion of the central axis 234is located inside the first chamber 210 c. The phase change system 214 cis located distally relative to the first chamber 210 c.

The storage system 200 c has a first wall 256 that is located distallyrelative to the first chamber 210 c. The first wall 256 is locatedbetween the first chamber 210 c and the phase change system 214 c. Thephase change system 214 c comprises a second wall 258 located betweenthe second chamber 220 c and the third chamber 230 c of the phase changesystem 214 c. The second wall 258 can be perpendicular to the first wall256.

FIG. 20 illustrates a side view of a storage system 200 d. FIG. 21illustrates a cross-sectional view of the storage system 200 d alongline A-A from FIG. 20. The lid 18 b is hidden in FIG. 21, but is shownin FIG. 20. The first chamber 210 d extends from the opening 244 d to adistal half of the outer cylindrical wall and/or storage system 200 d.The storage system 200 d includes several chambers 220 d, 230 d thathold phase change materials. The chambers 220 d, 230 d are locatedradially outward 246 from the first chamber 210 d. Walls separate thefirst chamber 210 d from the chambers 220 d, 230 d that hold phasechange materials. Additional walls separate the various phase changematerials from each other.

A retention wall 228 can protrude radially inward from an interior ofthe vacuum flask. The retention wall 228 can be located proximallyrelative to the chambers 220 d, 230 d that hold phase change materialshaving two or more melting temperatures. The retention wall 228 can beconfigured to prevent chambers 220 d, 230 d from sliding in a proximaldirection and then sliding out of the opening 244 d. The retention wall228 can be a metal wall that is welded inside the vacuum flask. In someembodiments, the retention wall 228 is a plastic or rubber ring that canbe deformed to push the ring into the opening 244 d and then expandsonce it is located distally relative to the opening 244 d. Onceexpanded, the ring can prevent the chambers 220 d, 230 d from sliding ina proximal direction and then sliding out of the opening 244 d. Someembodiments include welded metal walls between multiple chambers 220 d,230 d.

A first wall 262 separates the first chamber 210 d from a second chamber220 d. A second wall 264 separates the first chamber 210 d from a thirdchamber 230 d. A third wall 266 separates a second chamber 220 d from athird chamber 230 d. The first wall 262 is oriented perpendicularlyrelative to the third wall 266. The third wall 266 separates a distalportion of the phase change system from a proximal portion of the phasechange system.

The storage system 200 d includes a proximal portion having an opening244 d to the first chamber 210 d. The opening 244 d is configured to becovered by a removable lid 18 b (shown in FIG. 20). The first chamber210 d extends from the proximal portion towards a distal portion of thestorage system 200 d such that the first chamber 210 d is at least aslong as a majority of a length between a proximal end 236 of the storagesystem 200 d and a distal end 238 of the storage system 200 d (shown inFIG. 20).

A second chamber 220 d can be located distally or proximally relative toa third chamber 230 d while the second chamber 220 d is located outsideof the first chamber 210 d and is located radially outward relative tothe central axis 234. A third chamber 230 can also be located outside ofthe first chamber 210 d and located radially outward relative to thecentral axis 234.

A “target temperature” can be a “temperature dividing line.” In severalembodiments, the target temperature can be 74 degrees Fahrenheit (e.g.,when the manufacturer recommends storing a medicine at roomtemperature). In several embodiments, the target temperature can be 36degrees Fahrenheit (e.g., when the manufacturer recommends refrigeratinga medicine).

The chambers 220 d, 230 d can include different phase chamber materials.The phase change system can have more than two melting temperatures. Insome embodiments, a second chamber contains a first phase changematerial having a first melting temperature; a third chamber contains asecond phase change material having a second melting temperature; afourth chamber contains a third phase change material having a thirdmelting temperature; and a fifth chamber contains a fourth phase changematerial having a fourth melting temperature. The first and secondmelting temperatures can be less than a target temperature (e.g., 74degrees Fahrenheit), and the first melting temperature can be less than(e.g., at least 3 degrees Fahrenheit less than) the second meltingtemperature. The third and fourth melting temperatures can be greaterthan the target temperature, and the third melting temperature can beless than (e.g., at least 3 degrees Fahrenheit less than) the fourthmelting temperature.

A phase change system with more than two melting temperatures canprovide additional temperature protection reliability. For example, athird phase change material can protect against temperatures that arejust slightly above a target temperature (e.g., 74 degrees Fahrenheit,36 degrees Fahrenheit). Thus, the system can protect against even minortemperature variations above the target temperature. However, phasechange materials that protect against temperatures that are justslightly above a target temperature are susceptible to changing phasewhile the storage system is located indoors.

For example, a manufacturer can recommend a maximum EpiPen storagetemperature of 77 degrees Fahrenheit, which is very close to typicalroom temperatures. The phase change system can include a third phasechange material with a melting temperature of 76 degrees Fahrenheit. Ifthe storage system is kept in a room that is below 76 degrees Fahrenheitfor at least enough time for the third phase change material tosolidify, then once the storage system is moved into an outdoorenvironment that is 79 degrees Fahrenheit, the third phase changematerial will begin protecting the EpiPen from the outdoor environmentthat is 79 degrees Fahrenheit.

However, if the storage system is kept in a room that is 78 degreesFahrenheit for at least enough time for the third phase change materialto melt, then once the storage system is moved into an outdoorenvironment that is 80 degrees Fahrenheit, the third phase changematerial will fail to protect the EpiPen from the outdoor environmentthat is 80 degrees Fahrenheit (because the phase change will haveoccurred before the storage system reaches the outdoor environment). Inthis case, having a fourth phase change material can be helpful. Thefourth phase change material can have a fourth melting temperature thatis not as close to typical room temperatures. For example, the fourthmelting temperature can be 82 degrees Fahrenheit, which is typicallyhigher than room temperatures. Thus, the fourth phase change materialwould not be melting while kept in a room that is 78 degrees Fahrenheitfor at least enough time for the third phase change material to melt.Then, once the storage system is moved into an outdoor environment thatis 80 degrees Fahrenheit, the fourth phase change material will protectthe EpiPen from the outdoor environment that is 80 degrees Fahrenheit(by melting).

A manufacturer of a medicine can recommend a minimum storage temperatureand a maximum storage temperature for the medicine. In some embodiments,the storage system includes a first phase change material with a firstmelting temperature that is lower than the target temperature and lowerthan the minimum storage temperature; the storage system includes asecond phase change material with a second melting temperature that islower than the target temperature, higher than the minimum storagetemperature, and higher than the first melting temperature; the storagesystem includes a fourth phase change material with a fourth meltingtemperature that is higher than the target temperature and higher thanthe maximum storage temperature; and/or the storage system includes athird phase change material with a third melting temperature that ishigher than the target temperature, lower than the maximum storagetemperature, and lower than the fourth melting temperature.

Several phase change system embodiments include two different meltingtemperatures below a target temperature (e.g., 74 degrees Fahrenheit)and one melting temperature above the target temperature. Some phasechange system embodiments include two different melting temperaturesabove a target temperature (e.g., 74 degrees Fahrenheit) and one meltingtemperature below the target temperature.

If a difference between a target temperature and an expected coldoutdoor temperature is greater than a difference between the targettemperature and an expected hot outdoor temperature, then the phasechange system can include two different melting temperatures below thetarget temperature and one melting temperature above the targettemperature.

If a difference between a target temperature and an expected hot outdoortemperature is greater than a difference between the target temperatureand an expected cold outdoor temperature, then the phase change systemcan include two different melting temperatures above the targettemperature and one melting temperature below the target temperature.

The expected cold outdoor temperature is less than the targettemperature. The expected hot outdoor temperature is greater than thetarget temperature. The expected cold outdoor temperature can be themaximum expected cold outdoor temperature. The expected hot outdoortemperature can be the maximum expected hot outdoor temperature.

A manufacturer of a medicine can recommend a minimum storage temperatureand a maximum storage temperature for the medicine. If a differencebetween a target temperature and the minimum storage temperature isgreater than a difference between the target temperature and the maximumstorage temperature, then the phase change system can include twodifferent melting temperatures below the target temperature and onemelting temperature above the target temperature.

If a difference between a target temperature and the maximum storagetemperature is greater than a difference between the target temperatureand the minimum storage temperature, then the phase change system caninclude two different melting temperatures above the target temperatureand one melting temperature below the target temperature.

If a difference between the minimum storage temperature and the expectedcold outdoor temperature is greater than a difference between themaximum storage temperature and the expected hot outdoor temperature,then the phase change system can include two different meltingtemperatures below the target temperature and one melting temperatureabove the target temperature.

If a difference between the maximum storage temperature and the expectedhot outdoor temperature is greater than a difference between the minimumstorage temperature and the expected cold outdoor temperature, then thephase change system can include two different melting temperatures abovethe target temperature and one melting temperature below the targettemperature.

Any of the storage systems shown in the figures or described herein(e.g., storage systems 10, 11, 12, 200 a, 200 b, 200 c, 200 d, 200 e,200 f, 200 g, 200 h, 200 i, 300) can be configured according to thetemperature information above.

Any of the storage systems shown in the figures or described herein(e.g., storage systems 10, 11, 12, 200 a, 200 b, 200 c, 200 d, 200 e,200 f, 200 g, 200 h, 200 i, 300) can include three, four, or more phasechange materials. The chambers described herein can be subdivided intoadditional chambers by walls to hold phase change materials withdifferent melting temperatures.

FIG. 22 illustrates a side view of a storage system 200 e. FIG. 23illustrates a cross-sectional view of the storage system 200 e alongline A-A from FIG. 22. FIG. 24 illustrates a cross-sectional view of thestorage system 200 e along line B-B from FIG. 22.

Referring now to FIGS. 23 and 24, the vacuum flask 160 has an interiorportion defined by the inner wall 204. The first chamber 210 e extendsfrom a proximal portion of the interior portion to a distal portion ofthe interior portion. The first chamber 210 e is located in a centerportion of the interior portion such that the central axis 234 (shown inFIG. 22) runs through the first chamber 210 e.

Chambers 220 e, 230 e include phase change materials that wrap aroundthe first chamber 210 e. The second chamber 220 e is located radiallyoutward from the first chamber 210 e. A third chamber 230 e is locatedradially outward from the first chamber 210 e and radially outward fromthe second chamber 220 e. The first chamber 210 e, the second chamber220 e, and the third chamber 230 e are located radially inward from thevacuum flask (e.g., the inner cylindrical wall 204, vacuum chamber 208,and the outer cylindrical wall 202). The chambers 210 e, 220 e, 230 e,208 can be surrounded by an insulation (e.g., as shown in FIG. 24).

In some embodiments, a phase change material with a lower melting pointis located radially outward from a phase change material with a highermelting point. In several embodiments, a phase change material with ahigher melting point is located radially outward from a phase changematerial with a lower melting point.

The chambers 220 e, 230 e can surround the first chamber 210 e (e.g.,the chambers 220 e, 230 e can wrap 360 degrees around the first chamber210 e and the first chamber 210 e can include an opening that is notcovered by a phase change material).

In several embodiments, the plug 122 holds one or more phase changematerials. The plug 122 can be coupled to the lid 188 and can beconfigured to enter into a portion of the inner cylindrical wall 204such that a portion of the plug 122 can be located radially inwardrelative to a portion of the inner cylindrical wall 204.

At least a majority of the first chamber 210 e is located within thefirst wall 268 and the second wall 270, which are located within theinner cylindrical wall 204. The inner cylindrical wall 204 is locatedwithin the outer cylindrical wall 202. The outer cylindrical wall 202 islocated within the third wall 272, which is a portion of the outer case148. The first wall 268, the second wall 270, the inner wall 204, theouter wall 202, and/or the third wall 272 can be concentric. The firstwall 268 is located radially outward from the first chamber 210 e. Thesecond wall 270 is located radially outward from the first wall 268. Theinner wall 204 is located radially outward from the second wall 270. Theouter wall 202 is located radially outward from the inner wall 204. Thethird wall 272 is located radially outward from the outer wall 202.

The insulation 218, the vacuum chamber 208, the first chamber 210 e, thesecond chamber 220 e, and the third chamber 230 e are concentric. Insome embodiments, only a subset of these items are concentric. The wallscan also be concentric.

The first wall 268 separates the first chamber 210 e from a firstportion (e.g., the second chamber 220 e) of the phase change system 214e. The second wall 270 separates the first chamber 210 e from a secondportion (e.g., the third chamber 230 e) of the phase change system 214e. The first phase change material 222 e surrounds the majority of thefirst chamber 210 e. The second phase change material 232 e surroundsthe majority of the first chamber 210 e.

The second chamber 220 e surrounds the majority of the first chamber 210e such that the first phase change material 222 e can move 360 degreesaround a first perimeter (e.g., as shown in FIG. 24) of the firstchamber 210 e when the first phase change material 222 e is above thefirst melting temperature. The third chamber 230 e surrounds themajority of the first chamber 210 e such that the second phase changematerial 232 e can move 360 degrees around a second perimeter (e.g., asshown in FIG. 24) of the first chamber 210 e when the second phasechange material 232 e is above the second melting temperature.

FIG. 25 illustrates a side view of a storage system 200 f. FIG. 26illustrates a perspective view showing the side and proximal end of athird chamber 230 f, which holds the second phase change material 232 f.FIG. 27 illustrates a perspective view showing the side and proximal endof a second chamber 230 f, which holds the first phase change material222 f. FIG. 28 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the storage system200 f along line A-A from FIG. 25.

Referring now to FIG. 28, a first wall 278 and a second wall 280 arelocated within the inner cylindrical wall 204. The first wall 278 islocated between the first chamber 210 e and a first portion (e.g., thesecond chamber 220 f) of the phase change system 214 f. The first wall278 surrounds at least a first portion (e.g., a proximal portion) of thefirst chamber 210 e. The second wall 280 is located between the firstchamber 210 e and a second portion (e.g., the third chamber 230 f) ofthe phase change system 214 f. The second wall 280 surrounds at least asecond portion (e.g., a distal portion) of the first chamber 210 e.

The second chamber 220 f surrounds the first portion of the firstchamber 210 e such that the first phase change material 222 f (shown inFIG. 27) can move 360 degrees around a first perimeter of the firstchamber 210 e when the first phase change material 222 f is above (i.e.,hotter than) the first melting temperature. The third chamber 230 fsurrounds the second portion of the first chamber 210 e such that thesecond phase change material 232 f can move 360 degrees around a secondperimeter of the first chamber 210 e when the second phase changematerial 232 f is above the second melting temperature.

The first chamber 210 e, the second chamber 220 f, the third chamber 230f, the vacuum chamber 208, the outer case 148, the inner wall 204, theouter wall 202 are concentric. The first chamber 210 e can touch thefirst flask 170.

The second chamber 220 f is located proximally relative to the thirdchamber 230 f. In some embodiments, the positions of the second chamber220 f and the third chamber 230 f are switched such that the secondchamber 220 f is located distally relative to the third chamber 230 f.In several embodiments, the second chamber 220 f is located radiallyoutward relative to the first chamber 210 e.

A third wall 282 can separate the phase change system 214 f into aproximal portion (e.g., the second chamber 220 f) and a distal portion(e.g., the third chamber 230 f). The third wall 282 can be locatedbetween the second chamber 220 f and the third chamber 230 f. The thirdwall 282 can be oriented perpendicularly relative to the first wall 278and/or second wall 280. The third wall 282 can protrude radially outward(e.g., directly radially outward or radially outward at an angle).

FIG. 29 illustrates a side view of a storage system 200 g. The locationof an EpiPen 196, which is located inside the storage system 200 g, isshown by a dashed line. FIG. 30 illustrates the proximal end of thestorage system 200 g after the lid 18 b (shown in FIG. 29) is removed.

A first compliant wall 224 g and a second compliant wall 226 g separatethe first chamber 210 g from the second chamber 220 g and third chamber230 g. The compliant walls 224 g, 226 g enable the opening 244 g of thefirst chamber 210 g to expand. For example, pushing a container withmedicine 212 into the opening 244 g of the first chamber 210 g can pressthe first compliant wall 224 g and the second compliant wall 226 gradially outward to expand a minimum thickness 288 g between the firstcompliant wall 224 g and the second compliant wall 226 b in a locationconfigured to hold the medicine 212 (e.g., a portion of the firstchamber 210 g that can hold the medicine 212). The thickness can startat the minimum thickness 288 g and then can expand such that the firstchamber 210 g comprises an expandable thickness (e.g., to make theexpanded thickness at least 50 percent larger than the minimum thickness288 g or at least 100 percent larger than the minimum thickness 288 g).

The first compliant wall 224 g and the second compliant wall 226 b canbe made from a plastic or rubber material to enable the walls 224 g, 226g to flex and bend. The first compliant wall 224 g and the secondcompliant wall 226 b can at least partially conform to the shape of acontainer that holds the medicine 212.

At least a majority of the first chamber 210 g is located between thefirst compliant wall 224 g and the second compliant wall 226 g. Thefirst compliant wall 224 g separates at least the majority of the firstchamber 210 g from a first side of the phase change system (e.g., thesecond chamber 220 g). The second compliant wall 226 g separates atleast the majority of the first chamber 210 g from a second side of thephase change system (e.g., the third chamber 230 g).

The opening 244 g comprises a length 290 g from a first end of theopening 244 g to a second end of the opening 244 g. Prior to insertingthe medicine 212 into the first chamber 210 g, the length 290 g is atleast five times larger than the minimum thickness 288 g. The firstchamber 210 g is configured to expand in response to inserting themedicine 212 into the first chamber 210 g such that the first chamber210 g can hold containers of medicine having thicknesses that are largerthan the minimum thickness 288 g of the first chamber 210 g.

Many of the embodiments described herein are generally cylindrical, butseveral embodiments are not cylindrical. Thus, non-cylindricalembodiments can be constructed based on the various features and methodsdescribed herein.

FIG. 31 illustrates the proximal end of a storage system 200 h that isessentially identical to the storage system illustrated in FIG. 30except the cylindrical outer case 148 has been replaced by anon-cylindrical outer case 148 h. Some embodiments do not include avacuum chamber 208. The exterior of the outer case 148 h can be rigid(e.g., metal, stiff plastic) or can be easily compliant (e.g., like asoft pouch or bag).

The storage system 200 h includes a first outer wall 292 h and a secondouter wall 294 h that is coupled to the first outer wall 292 h (e.g., byseams, joints, or other walls). An insulation 218 h is located betweenthe first outer wall 292 h and the second outer wall 294 h. The firstchamber 210 g is surrounded by the first outer wall 292 h and secondouter wall 294 h. The first chamber 210 g includes a closeable opening244 g that is configured to provide access to the first chamber 210 g toenable removing the medicine 212 from the storage system 200 h. Examplesof closeable openings include screw-on lids, press-on lids, zippers, andZiplocks (e.g., an interlocking groove and ridge that can form a sealwhen pressed together) made by S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.

The medicine 212 (which can be located in an injection device) islocated in the first chamber 210 g. The storage system 200 h can includea phase change system 214 g comprising a second chamber 220 g having afirst phase change material 222 g and comprising a third chamber 230 ghaving a second phase change material 232 g. The phase change system 214g is located between and surrounded by the first outer wall 292 h andthe second outer wall 294 h. The insulation 218 h surrounds the phasechange system 214 g.

The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 31 includes a vacuum chamber 208, butseveral embodiments do not include a vacuum chamber 208 (e.g., to makethe storage system compliant like a bag). The insulation 218 h can beused to slow the rate of heat transfer rather than using a vacuumchamber 208.

A majority of the first chamber 210 g is located between the firstcompliant wall 224 g and the second compliant wall 226 g. The firstcompliant wall 224 g separates at least the majority of the firstchamber 210 g from a first side of the phase change system 214 g. Thesecond compliant wall 226 g separates at least the majority of the firstchamber 210 g from a second side of the phase change system 214 g.

As described above in the context of FIG. 30, the opening 244 gcomprises a length 290 g from a first end of the opening 244 g to asecond end of the opening 244 g. Prior to inserting the medicine 212into the first chamber 210 g, the length 290 g is at least five timeslarger than the minimum thickness 288 g. The first chamber 210 g isconfigured to expand in response to inserting the medicine 212 into thefirst chamber 210 g such that the first chamber 210 g can holdcontainers of medicine having thicknesses that are larger than theminimum thickness 288 g of the first chamber 210 g.

As shown in FIG. 31, the length 290 g is measured in a direction that isperpendicular to the minimum thickness 288 g. The minimum thickness 288g is measured prior to inserting the medicine 212 into the first chamber210 g. The depth of the first chamber 210 g is measured into the page inFIG. 31. The depth is perpendicular to both the minimum thickness 288 gand the length 290 g. For embodiments configured to be used with anEpiPen, the EpiPen is inserted into the first chamber 210 g such thatthe longest dimension of the EpiPen is generally aligned with the depthof the first chamber 210 g (i.e., into the page in FIG. 31).

FIG. 32 illustrates the proximal end of a storage system 200 i that isessentially identical to the storage system 200 h illustrated in FIG. 31except the phase change system 214 g has been modified to include twophase change materials on the left side of FIG. 32 and two phase changematerials on the right side of FIG. 32. The first phase change material222 i surrounds at least the majority of the first chamber 210 g. Thesecond phase change material 232 i surrounds at least the majority ofthe first chamber 210 g.

FIG. 33 illustrates a side view of a storage system 300. The location ofan EpiPen 196, which is located inside the storage system 300, is shownby a dashed line. The storage system 300 can include soft, compliantouter walls. In some embodiments, the storage system 300 is an insulatedbag (e.g., a pouch). The bag can be flexible. The opening 302 caninclude a Ziplock or zipper to enable removing an EpiPen from the firstchamber 304 (shown in FIG. 34).

In some embodiments, the compliant bag is made from fabric or moldedsilicone rubber. In some embodiments, electronic components (e.g., aspeaker 24, a control system 86 having a printed circuit board, anelectronic display 86) are coupled to a rigid molded plastic housingthat is coupled to the compliant bag.

The storage system 300 can include thermometers 68, 88, a temperaturedisplay 62 b, a communication system 70, a vent 84, a temperature probe64 b, a speaker 24, seals 66, and a control system 86 (as shown in FIG.5). Thus, the storage system 300 can wirelessly communicate with thecomputer 76.

In some embodiments, a cable couples the control system 86 (shown inFIG. 5) to the computer 76 to enable using the computer 76 to configurethe various settings described in the context of FIG. 5, to downloadtemperature data from the storage system 300, and/or to downloadtemperature settings and other settings from the computer 76. In severalembodiments, wireless communication is used instead of the cable.

FIG. 34 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the storage system 300along line B-B from FIG. 33. The storage system 300 includes a firstouter wall 320 and a second outer wall 322 that is coupled to the firstouter wall 320 (e.g., by seams, joints, or other walls). An insulation314 a, 314 b is located between the first outer wall 320 and the secondouter wall 322. The first chamber 304 is surrounded by the first outerwall 320 and second outer wall 322. The first chamber 304 includes acloseable opening 302 (shown in FIG. 33).

The EpiPen 196 (shown in FIG. 33) can be located in the first chamber304. The EpiPen 196 can enter the first chamber 304 in a direction intothe page in FIG. 34. The storage system 300 can include a phase changesystem comprising a second chamber 306 that has a first phase changematerial 310 and comprising a third chamber 308 that has a second phasechange material 312. The phase change system is surrounded by the firstouter wall 320 and the second outer wall 322. The insulation 314 a, 314b surrounds the phase change system.

A majority of the first chamber 304 is located between the firstcompliant wall 316 and the second compliant wall 318. The firstcompliant wall 316 separates at least the majority of the first chamber304 from a first side of the phase change system. The second compliantwall 318 separates at least the majority of the first chamber 304 from asecond side of the phase change system.

Referring now to FIGS. 33 and 34, the opening 302 comprises a lengthfrom a first end 324 of the opening 302 to a second end 326 of theopening 302 (as described above in the context of FIG. 30). Prior toinserting the medicine (e.g., the EpiPen 196) into the first chamber304, the length is at least five times larger than the minimum thickness328. The first chamber 304 is configured to expand in response toinserting the medicine into the first chamber 304 such that the firstchamber 304 can hold containers of medicine having thicknesses that arelarger than the minimum thickness 328 of the first chamber 304. Thethickness can start at the minimum thickness 328 and then can expandsuch that the first chamber 304 comprises an expandable thickness (e.g.,to make the thickness at least 50 percent larger, at least 100 percentlarger, or at least 200 percent larger than the minimum thickness 328).

The thickness of a container of medicine can be found by finding thelongest dimension of the container, and then measuring in all directionsperpendicular to the longest dimension of the container of medicine. Thethickness is the smallest of these dimensions that are perpendicular tothe longest dimension.

The storage system 300 can be a flexible bag to enable a collapsiblestorage system that can more easily fit in a pocket, purse, or other bagwhen not in use. The outer walls 320, 322 can include a foil coating toreduce the rate of heat transfer in and out of the bag. The chambers canbe pliable bags.

At least a majority of the first chamber can be located between portionsof the phase change system. For example, a first phase change materialcan be located on one side of the first chamber and a second phasechange material can be located on an opposite side of the first chambersuch that the phase change system “sandwiches” the first chamber.

In some embodiments, at least the majority of the first chamber islocated between a first compliant wall and a second compliant wall. Thefirst compliant wall can separate at least the majority of the firstchamber from a first side of the phase change system. The secondcompliant wall can separate at least the majority of the first chamberfrom a second side of the phase change system.

All of the apparatus and system embodiments described herein can be usedwith any of the methods described herein. Elements from one embodimentcan be combined with elements of other embodiments.

A manufacturer of the medicine can recommend a minimum storagetemperature and a maximum storage temperature for the medicine. Forexample, the medicine can include instructions for use that state tostore the medicine at 68 degrees Fahrenheit to 77 degrees Fahrenheit (ascan be the case with EpiPens made by Meridian Medical Technologies,Inc., a Pfizer Company).

Some embodiments include obtaining the storage system. The storagesystem can have a first temperature. Embodiments can include placing thestorage system inside a building having a first room temperature;leaving the storage system inside the building until the first phasechange material is melted and the second phase change material issolidified; placing the medicine inside the first chamber and thenclosing (e.g., covering an opening) the first chamber from an externalenvironment located outside of the storage system; moving the storagesystem to a cold environment that is colder than the first roomtemperature, colder than the first melting temperature, and/or colderthan the minimum storage temperature of the medicine, then returning thestorage system to a second room temperature before the first phasechange material is completely solidified; and/or moving the storagesystem to a hot environment that is warmer than the first roomtemperature, warmer than the second melting temperature, and/or warmerthan the maximum storage temperature of the medicine. Then, embodimentscan include returning the storage system to a third room temperaturebefore the second phase change material is completely melted.

As used herein, “room temperature” is used in a very broad sense, andcan include a temperature inside a building and/or a temperature in atemperature-controlled building. The first, second, and third roomtemperatures can be equal to each other or different from each other.The first, second, and third room temperatures can be in the samebuilding and/or room. The first, second, and third room temperatures canbe in different buildings and/or rooms.

After returning the storage system to the second room temperature, somemethods include exposing the storage system to the second roomtemperature until the first phase change material is melted beforemoving the storage system to a first extreme environment that is colderthan the minimum recommended storage temperature. After returning thestorage system to the third room temperature, some methods includeexposing the storage system to the third room temperature until thesecond phase change material is solidified before moving the storagesystem to a second extreme environment that is hotter than the minimumrecommended storage temperature.

Several embodiments include continuing to cover (e.g., covering anopening) the first chamber from the external environment from a firsttime the storage system leaves a fourth room temperature to move to thecold environment; while the storage system is located in the coldenvironment; and/or until returning the storage system to an environmenthaving a fifth room temperature. Embodiments can also include openingthe first chamber to the fifth room temperature in response to returningto the fifth room temperature. Several embodiments include continuing toopen the first chamber to the fifth room temperature until the firstphase change material is melted and the second phase change material issolidified.

As used herein, “cover” and “covering” are used in a very broad sense tomean covering an opening (e.g., by closing the opening or placing a lidin the opening). “Cover” and “covering” can include “seal” and“sealing,” but in some embodiments, “cover” and “covering” might notform an air-tight seal. For example, a lid of a cooler can cover theopening to the cooler, but the lid does not necessarily form an airtightseal.

Several embodiments include obtaining the storage system; placing thestorage system in a first inside environment; leaving the storage systemin the first inside environment until the first phase change material ismelted and the second phase change material is solidified; placing themedicine inside the first chamber and then closing the first chamberfrom an external environment (e.g., covering an opening leading to thefirst chamber), wherein the external environment is external relative tothe storage system; moving the storage system to a cold outdoorenvironment that is colder than the first inside environment, colderthan the first melting temperature, and/or colder than the minimumstorage temperature of the medicine; and then returning the storagesystem to a second inside environment before the first phase changematerial is completely solidified. Some embodiments include moving thestorage system to a hot outdoor environment that is warmer than thesecond inside environment, warmer than the second melting temperature,and/or warmer than the maximum storage temperature of the medicine, andthen returning the storage system to a third inside environment beforethe second phase change material is completely melted.

As used herein, an environment is a cold outdoor environment if it iscolder than the first inside environment. As used herein, an environmentis a hot outdoor environment if it is hotter than the second insideenvironment. For example, a cold outdoor environment can be colder thana room temperature and a hot outdoor environment can be hotter than theroom temperature.

In some embodiments where a first phase change material has a meltingtemperature greater than 40 degrees Fahrenheit and less than 74 degreesFahrenheit, the phase change material comprises at least one of PureTemp6, PureTemp 15, PureTemp 18, and PureTemp 20 made by Entropy Solutions,Inc., which has an office in Plymouth, Minn. In some embodiments where afirst phase change material has a melting temperature greater than 40degrees Fahrenheit and less than 74 degrees Fahrenheit, the phase changematerial comprises at least one of Paraffin 14-Carbons, Paraffin15-Carbons, and Paraffin 16-Carbons.

In some embodiments where a second phase change material has a meltingtemperature greater than 74 degrees Fahrenheit and less than 100 degreesFahrenheit, the phase change material comprises at least one of PureTemp25, PureTemp 27, PureTemp 28, and PureTemp 35 made by Entropy Solutions,Inc., which has an office in Plymouth, Minn. In some embodiments where asecond phase change material has a melting temperature greater than 74degrees Fahrenheit and less than 100 degrees Fahrenheit, the phasechange material comprises at least one of Paraffin 18-Carbons, Paraffin19-Carbons, and Paraffin 20-Carbons.

Any of the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1-36 can include a storagesystem (e.g., 10, 11, 12, 200, 200 a, 200 b, 200 c, 200 d, 200 e, 200 f,200 g, 200 h, 200 i, 300, 400, 500) comprising a phase change system; afirst container configured to hold at least a portion of the phasechange system; and a first chamber located within the first containerand configured to hold a medicine. As explained above, phase changesystems can comprises a first phase change material and/or a secondphase change material. The first phase change material can have a firstmelting temperature greater than 40 degrees Fahrenheit and less than 74degrees Fahrenheit. The second phase change material can have a secondmelting temperature greater than 74 degrees Fahrenheit and less than 100degrees Fahrenheit. Thus, the phase change system can protect themedicine from temperatures above and below room temperature.

Refrigeration systems typically are large, expensive, fragile, and useelectricity to regulate temperature. In contrast, phase change systemscan be configured to protect medicine from a first external temperatureless than a minimum recommended storage temperature and from a secondexternal temperature greater than a maximum recommended storagetemperature by utilizing phase changes to regulate a temperature of themedicine. Because phase change systems do not require electronics andpumps, they are very robust and can be built for a small fraction of thecost of refrigeration systems. Imagine a child who needs an epinephrineinjector having to carry even a small refrigerator wherever she goes toprevent hot temperatures from ruining her potentially life-savingepinephrine.

In stark contrast, the child could easily carry a medicine storagesystem that relies on the phase change systems described herein, whichcan even be designed to protect against both hot and cold temperaturesto eliminate the need for the child to have to guess which temperatureprotection components she will need for a trip. For example, if thechild goes camping, she may need to protect her medicine against bothhot afternoon temperatures and cold nighttime temperatures.

Containers can come in many different shapes and sizes. Some containersare vacuum flasks. Vacuum flasks can prevent high heat transfer rates toenable minimizing the amount of phase change material necessary toadequately protect a medicine. Thus, the system can be smaller thanwould be the case without a vacuum flask.

On the other hand, vacuum flasks often have rigid outer walls, which canmake carrying them uncomfortable. Some containers are compliant bagswith flexible walls. Compliant bags can be very comfortable to carry.Their flexible outer walls can facilitate fitting them into backpacksand purses (by enabling them to conform to various shapes). The outerwall 322 can be compliant such that the storage system 300 shown in FIG.34 can be a compliant bag.

Each of the storage systems (e.g., 10, 11, 12, 200, 200 a, 200 b, 200 c,200 d, 200 e, 200 f, 200 g, 200 h, 200 i, 300) shown in FIGS. 1-34include a first container. For example, The base portion 14 and the lid18 shown in FIG. 1 can be a first container. The base portion 14 in FIG.5 can be a first container. FIG. 1-34 illustrate many first containers16, 17, 20, 21, 21 a-21 i, 23. Containers may be manufactured from manymaterials including metal, plastic, and cardboard.

FIG. 7 illustrates a storage system 12 with an injection device 150configured to inject a drug 190 (e.g., epinephrine). The injectiondevice 150 is located in the first chamber (e.g., a void 154). Theinjection device can comprise a needle 151 configurable to inject theepinephrine into a person. The injection device 150 having a needle 151is located in the first chamber such that the storage system 12 shieldsthe injection device 150 from an external environment (e.g., an outsideenvironment 30). Any of the storage systems (e.g., 10, 11, 12, 200, 200a, 200 b, 200 c, 200 d, 200 e, 200 f, 200 g, 200 h, 200 i, 300) shown inFIGS. 1-36 can include an injection device 150 in the first chamber.

As shown in FIG. 7, the first container 20 can comprise a vacuum chamber(e.g., the area located between the first flask 170 and the second flask180) such that the vacuum chamber is configured to thermally insulatethe medicine from an external environment (e.g., an outside environment30). The majority of the first chamber 154 is located radially inwardfrom the vacuum chamber.

FIG. 33 illustrates a side view of a storage system 300. The location ofan EpiPen 196 (or other medicine), which is located inside the storagesystem 300, is shown by a dashed line. The storage system 300 caninclude soft, compliant outer walls. In some embodiments, the storagesystem 300 is an insulated bag (e.g., a pouch). The bag can be flexible.The opening 302 can include a Ziploc (made by S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.)or zipper to enable removing an EpiPen from the first chamber 304 (shownin FIG. 34).

As shown in FIGS. 33 and 34, the first container 23 can comprise acompliant bag 329. FIG. 33 illustrates the compliant bag 329 with acloseable opening 302, which is coupled to the first chamber 304 (shownin FIG. 34) that holds the EpiPen 196. The closeable opening 302 isconfigurable to provide access to the medicine (e.g., 196).

As shown in FIG. 34, the phase change system (e.g., 310 and 312) islocated inside of the compliant bag 329 such that insulation 314 a, 314b of the compliant bag 329 thermally insulates the phase change systemfrom an external environment (e.g., the outside environment 30). In someembodiments, a majority of the phase change system (e.g., 310, 312) islocated between a first portion 314 a of the insulation and a secondportion 314 b of the insulation. In several embodiments, a majority ofthe first chamber 304 is located between a first portion 314 a of theinsulation and a second portion 314 b of the insulation.

Referring now to FIG. 35, minimizing the size of the first container 21k that a person has to carry to protect her medicine can be important.Generally, a smaller container is more convenient and easier to carry.Rather than require a person to carry two phase change materials at alltimes, the storage system 400 embodiment illustrated in FIG. 35 enablesa person to remove a first phase change material 222 k from a firstcontainer 21 k and then replace the first phase change material 222 kwith a second phase change material 232 k (and vice versa). Thus, asecond container 402 that holds the first phase change material 222 k isinterchangeable with a third container 404 that holds the second phasechange material 232 k. A person can replace the second container 402with the third container 404 (and vice versa) by removing the secondcontainer 402 from the first container 21 k, and then inserting thethird container 404 into the first container 21 k (which can include alid as shown in other embodiments).

The first container 21 k, the second container 402, and the thirdcontainer 404 are parts of a storage system 400 that enables a user tooptimize the first container 21 k for either protection against warmenvironments or protection against cold environments. The secondcontainer 402 can have a first chamber 210 k configured to hold amedicine. The third container 404 can also have a chamber 210 mconfigured to hold a medicine. In other embodiments, the first container21 k has a chamber configured to hold a medicine, but the secondcontainer 402 and the third container 404 do not have chambers to holdmedicine.

FIG. 35 illustrates an embodiment of a storage system 400 having a phasechange system (e.g., 232 k, 222 k). The phase change system can includea first phase change material 222 k and a second phase change material232 k. The first phase change material 222 k can have a first meltingtemperature greater than 40 degrees Fahrenheit and less than 74 degreesFahrenheit. The second phase change material 232 k can have a secondmelting temperature greater than 74 degrees Fahrenheit and less than 100degrees Fahrenheit.

The second container 402 can hold the first phase change material 222 k.The third container 404 can hold the second phase change material 232 k.In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 35, the second container 402 andthe third container 404 are interchangeable within the first container21 k such that the storage system 400 is alternatively configurable toprotect the medicine 212 from a first environment below 74 degreesFahrenheit using the first phase change material and from a secondenvironment above 74 degrees Fahrenheit using the second phase changematerial. Medicine 212 can be inserted into the first chamber 210 k, thesecond chamber 210 m, and/or the first container 21 k.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 35 can be used with any of the features,elements, parts, and systems shown in FIGS. 1-34. For example, the firstcontainer 21 k, the second container 402, and/or the third container 404can include a vacuum chamber 208 (e.g., from a vacuum flask). The vacuumchamber 208 can be configured to thermally insulate the medicine 212from an external environment (e.g., an outside environment 30).

In some embodiments, the first container 21 k, the second container 402,and/or the third container 404 is a compliant bag with insulation. Manydifferent types of insulation can be used. Some embodiments useThinsulate made by the 3M Corporation. The first container 402 cancomprise a compliant bag (as described in other embodiments) havinginsulation configured to thermally insulate the medicine from anexternal environment (e.g., an outside environment 30).

The storage system 400 can use a lid 18 (shown in FIG. 5) that iscoupled to the first container 21 k. At least one of the first chamber210 k and the second chamber 210 m can be oriented such that the lid(coupled to the first container 21 k) is removable to provide access tothe medicine 212.

FIG. 36 illustrates a storage system 500 comprising a first container502, a second container 504, and a third container 506. The firstcontainer 502 and the second container 504 are located inside the thirdcontainer 506. A first phase change material 222 m can be located in afourth container 508, which can be inserted into the first container 502(as shown by Arrow 512). A second phase change material 232 m can belocated in a fifth container 510, which can be inserted into the secondcontainer 504 (as shown by Arrow 514). The first container 502 and/orthe fourth container 508 can have a first chamber 516 a, 516 bconfigured to hold a first medicine 212. Once the fourth container 508is inserted into the first container 502, the first container 502 cancomprise a first phase change material 222 m having a first meltingtemperature greater than 40 degrees Fahrenheit and less than 74 degreesFahrenheit.

The second container 504 and/or the fifth container 510 can have asecond chamber 518 a, 518 b configured to hold a second medicine 212.Once the fifth container 510 is inserted into the second container 504,the second container 504 can comprises a second phase change material232 m having a second melting temperature greater than 74 degreesFahrenheit and less than 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

The first container 502 and the second container 504 can be any of thecontainers described herein (e.g., containers 16, 17, 20, 21, 21 a-21 i,21 k, 23 shown in FIGS. 1-35). For example, the first container 502shown in FIG. 36 can be the embodiment shown in FIG. 5. The firstcontainer 502 shown in FIG. 36 can be the embodiment shown in FIG. 12(and thus can include a vacuum chamber 208 to thermally insulate thefirst medicine from an external environment). The second container 504be the storage system 300 shown in FIGS. 33 and 34, and thus can includea compliant bag 329 having insulation 314 a, 314 b configured tothermally insulate medicine from an external environment (e.g., anoutside environment 30).

In other words, the third container 506 illustrated in FIG. 36 can holdany two (or more) of the other embodiments described in the context ofFIGS. 1-35. The embodiment represented in FIG. 36 is important becauseit enables a system 500 that can be optimized for many differentcircumstances. For example, room temperature (e.g., a first environment)might be 74 degrees Fahrenheit. The user might need to take her medicineinto a second environment that is only zero degrees Fahrenheit (e.g.,Minnesota in the winter). The user might also need to take her medicineinto a third environment that is 90 degrees Fahrenheit (e.g., Minnesotain the summer). As a result, the medicine needs to be protected from a74 degree drop and from a 16 degree rise. A 74 degree drop is much moreextreme than a 16 degree rise. As a result, the cold-weather protectionsystem must provide much better thermal protection than the warm-weatherprotection system. (The opposite can be true in other climates.)

This Minnesotan likely wants to have a system 500 that is optimized forher climate. For example, the first container 502 may have a vacuumchamber and rigid outer walls made of metal (to withstand the vacuum).Thus, the vacuum chamber may drastically reduce the rate of heat loss,and thus protect her medicine. This design, however, is bulky andunnecessary for the relatively small temperature difference of summer.Thus, for summer use, the system 500 can include a second container 504that is an insulated, compliant bag with relatively little phase changematerial. This second container 504 can be much smaller and moreconvenient to carry than the first container 502 in this example.Providing both the first container 502 and the second container 504 tothe user in one container 506 can greatly simplify the user's experiencereceiving a thermal protection system 500.

Some embodiments include a website that enables a customer to enterclimate information. The website can then recommend a thermal protectionsystem 500 at least partially in response to the climate information.For example, a customer in Florida would be recommended a differentcombination of embodiments from FIGS. 1-35 than a customer in Minnesotawould be recommended.

In some cases, a medicine has a recommended minimum or maximum storagetemperature that is close to a room temperature or 74 degreesFahrenheit. This situation can be problematic because selecting amelting temperature (of a phase change material) that is close to roomtemperature or 74 degrees Fahrenheit can result in the phase changematerial changing phases before the phase change material leaves anindoor environment in which the storage system is stored.

For example, a house's internal temperature may be between 67 degreesFahrenheit and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. If the minimum recommended storagetemperature of a medicine is 69 degrees Fahrenheit, then the first phasechange material may have a melting temperature of 69 degrees Fahrenheit.As a result, the first phase change material could freeze before thestorage system ever leaves the house.

A solution to this problem is to have more than two melting temperaturesof phase change materials in the storage system. For example, a firstphase change material could have a melting temperature of 69 degreesFahrenheit, a second phase change material could have a meltingtemperature of 81 degrees Fahrenheit, and a third phase change materialcould have a melting temperature of 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Thus, if thefirst phase change material freezes before the storage system leaves thehouse, then the third phase change material could provide backupprotection against cold environments (even if this backup protection isslightly lower than the minimum recommended storage temperature).

Any of the embodiments described in any of the figures can include one,two, three, four, or more phase change materials with unique meltingtemperatures. Any of the embodiments can include a first phase changematerial having a first melting temperature greater than 40 degreesFahrenheit and less than 74 degrees Fahrenheit, a second phase changematerial having a second melting temperature greater than 74 degreesFahrenheit and less than 100 degrees Fahrenheit, a third phase changematerial having third melting temperature less than the first meltingtemperature, and/or a fourth phase change material having a fourthmelting temperature greater than the second melting temperature. Inseveral embodiments, the third melting temperature is greater than 40degrees Fahrenheit and less than 74 degrees Fahrenheit. In someembodiments, the fourth melting temperature is greater than 74 degreesFahrenheit and less than 100 degrees Fahrenheit. These various phasechange materials can be located in any of the chambers and containersdescribed herein. In some embodiments, more than one phase changematerial is located in a single chamber. In several embodiments,different phase change materials are located in different chambers.

Any of the embodiments can include a first phase change material havinga first melting temperature greater than 40 degrees Fahrenheit and lessthan 74 degrees Fahrenheit, a second phase change material having asecond melting temperature greater than 74 degrees Fahrenheit and lessthan 100 degrees Fahrenheit, a third phase change material having thirdmelting temperature less than the first melting temperature, and/or afourth phase change material having a fourth melting temperature greaterthan the second melting temperature. In several embodiments, the thirdmelting temperature is greater than 40 degrees Fahrenheit and less than74 degrees Fahrenheit. In some embodiments, the fourth meltingtemperature is greater than 74 degrees Fahrenheit and less than 100degrees Fahrenheit.

In several embodiments, storage systems include “chambers” (e.g., tohold phase change material or other items). These chambers can be formedby containers having chambers. In some embodiments, a container has asingle chamber to hold a phase change material. In several embodiments,a container has many chambers. In some embodiments, a first containerhas many containers (e.g., formed by walls inside the first container).

FIG. 37 shows a front view of a container 600 having a chamber 602configured to hold at least one phase change material. The container 600has narrower sections, which are fins 604, to increase the rate of heattransfer between the phase change material and the area external to thecontainer 600 (e.g., a chamber having a medicine). The chamber 602 canbe used in any of the embodiments described herein. The fins 604 causesthe container 600 to have a larger surfaces area (to increase the rateof heat transfer) than would be the case with a container of the samevolume having a cubic shape.

Any of the embodiments described in the context of FIGS. 1-37 can beused with any of the methods described herein.

Some embodiments include obtaining a storage system comprising a phasechange system, a first container configured to hold at least a portionof the phase change system, and a first chamber located within the firstcontainer, wherein the first chamber is configured to hold a medicine,and wherein the phase change system comprises a first phase changematerial and a second phase change material, the first phase changematerial having a first melting temperature greater than 40 degreesFahrenheit and less than 74 degrees Fahrenheit, and the second phasechange material having a second melting temperature greater than 74degrees Fahrenheit and less than 100 degrees Fahrenheit; placing themedicine in the first chamber; and storing the storage system in a firstenvironment such that the first phase change material is liquid and thesecond phase change material is solid.

Several embodiments include moving the storage system to a secondenvironment that is cooler than the first environment, and then movingthe storage system to a warmer environment, relative to the secondenvironment, before all of the first phase change material freezes; andmoving the storage system to a third environment that is warmer than thefirst environment, and then moving the storage system to a coolerenvironment, relative to the third environment, before all of the secondphase change material melts.

Several embodiments include moving the storage system to a secondenvironment that is cooler than the first environment, and then movingthe storage system to a warmer environment, relative to the secondenvironment, in response to receiving a first temperature alert; andmoving the storage system to a third environment that is warmer than thefirst environment, and then moving the storage system to a coolerenvironment, relative to the third environment, in response to a secondtemperature alert.

Some embodiments include moving the storage system to a secondenvironment that is cooler than the first environment, and then movingthe storage system to a warmer environment, relative to the secondenvironment, before the medicine reaches a first medicine temperaturethat is cool enough to harm the medicine and/or before an internalportion of the storage system reaches a minimum temperature threshold;and moving the storage system to a third environment that is warmer thanthe first environment, and then moving the storage system to a coolerenvironment, relative to the third environment, before the medicinereaches a second medicine temperature that is warm enough to harm themedicine and/or before the internal portion of the storage systemreaches a maximum temperature threshold.

Some embodiments include moving the storage system to a secondenvironment that is cooler than the first environment, and then movingthe storage system to a warmer environment, relative to the secondenvironment, in response to the medicine reaching a first medicinetemperature that is cool enough to harm the medicine, in response to themedicine reaching a minimum temperature threshold, and/or in response toan internal portion of the storage system reaches the minimumtemperature threshold; and moving the storage system to a thirdenvironment that is warmer than the first environment, and then movingthe storage system to a cooler environment, relative to the thirdenvironment, in response to the medicine reaching a second medicinetemperature that is warm enough to harm the medicine, in response to themedicine reaching a maximum temperature threshold, and/or in response tothe internal portion of the storage system reaching the maximumtemperature threshold.

The circumstances surrounding an emergency in which a person needsmedicine storage in a storage system can be traumatic. For example,during anaphylactic shock, a person may struggle to breathe. Thissituation can cause people, including family members and caregivers, topanic. In such high-intensity emergencies, some people might not be ableto think clearly enough or act quickly enough to find the storagesystem.

One solution to this problem is to communicatively couple the storagesystem to a remote computing device 76 such as a smartphone. Referringnow to FIG. 5, a person can use application software (e.g., an “app”) onher remote computing device 76 to send a wireless communication to thecommunication system 70 of the storage system 11. Then, in response toreceiving the wireless communication, the storage system 11 can emit asound from the speaker 24 and/or can emit a light (e.g., a flashinglight) from the light 85, which can comprise a light emitting diode. Theremote computing device 76 can communicate with the storage system 11via WiFi, cellular networks, Bluetooth, radio waves, or via any othersuitable means of wireless communication.

The sound and light emitted by the storage system 11 can enable peopleto locate storage systems 11 hidden in crowded kitchen cabinets, hiddenunder clothing in bedroom dressers, or buried under gear in a car duringa camping or skiing trip. Any of the storage systems described hereincan be communicatively coupled with a remote computing device 76.

In some embodiments, the application software on the remote computingdevice 76 points a user to the location of the storage system 11. Thus,the user can following the directions on the application software tofind the storage system 11. This pointing can be an arrow or indicatorsof whether the user is getting closer to or farther from the storagesystem 11.

Some medicine users forget to take their medicine with them. Forexample, they may forget their medicine at home, at a park, or at anoffice. Forgetting their medicine can place their life in danger. Asolution to this problem is to provide an alert via the remote computingdevice 76 when an alert system (which can include the storage system 11,the remote computing device 76, servers, and other items) detects thatthe remote computing device 76 is located more than a predeterminedthreshold away from the storage system 11. For example, if the user isat least 30 feet or at least 100 feet away from her storage system(containing medicine), then the user's remote computing device 76 (e.g.,a smartphone) can provide an alert (e.g., a push notification, a textmessage, a sound, a warning message, a warning icon, a flashing light).

The system can determine the location of the remote computing device 76(e.g., via GPS). The remote computing device 76 can attempt tocommunicate with the storage system 11 via close-range communicationtechnologies such as Bluetooth. If the remote computing device 76 cannotcommunicate with the storage system 11 via close-range communicationtechnologies, then the alert system can assume the storage system 11 isnot sufficiently close to the remote computing device 76, and thus theremote computing device 76 can emit an alert.

In several embodiments, the alert system actually measures anapproximate distance between the storage system 11 and the remotecomputing device 76 based on a strength of a wireless signal emitted bythe storage system 11 as measured by the remote computing device 76. Ifthis signal strength is less than a predetermined threshold or isotherwise indicative of the storage system being too far away, then theremote computing device 76 can emit an alert.

In some embodiments, the remote computing device 76 determines if theremote computing device 76 is located in a vehicle (e.g., based ondetecting vehicle sounds with a microphone, detecting vehicle vibrationswith an accelerometer, detecting accelerations or velocities indicativeof a vehicle with an accelerometer). Then, in response to determiningthat the remote computing device 76 is located in a vehicle, the alertsystem determines if the storage system 11 is within a predetermineddistance (e.g., within 20 feet) of the remote computing device 76. Ifthe storage system is not also within the predetermined distance, theremote computing device 76 can emit an alert.

In some embodiments, in response to determining that the remotecomputing device 76 is located in a vehicle, the alert system determinesif the storage system 11 is also located within a vehicle (e.g., basedon detecting vehicle sounds with a microphone, detecting vehiclevibrations with an accelerometer, detecting accelerations or velocitiesindicative of a vehicle with an accelerometer). If the storage system isnot also within a vehicle, the remote computing device 76 can emit analert.

As mentioned above, the remote computing device 76 can becommunicatively coupled with the storage system 11. In severalembodiments, the remote computing device 76 includes applicationsoftware that enables a user to select to option (e.g., touching abutton on a touch screen). In response to selecting the option, thestorage system 11 can emit a sound from the speaker 24 and/or emit alight to help the user find the storage system 11.

Some embodiments use iBeacon, which is a protocol standardized by AppleInc. iBeacon can enable finding the location of a storage system and/orremote computing device indoors. Bluetooth low energy (LE) trackingdevices can be attached to storage systems to enable the storage systemsto broadcast their information to nearby remote computing devices.

Several embodiments use Radio-frequency identification (RFID), which isthe wireless use of electromagnetic fields to transfer data. RFID can beused to identify and track tags attached to storage systems.

Some embodiments use Global Positioning Systems (GPS) to track storagesystems. GPS is typically well-suited for outdoor tracking.

Manufacturers, physicians, and other entities often provide“instructions for use” with products. For example, a user might buy astorage system that has a first instruction to return the storage systemto a room temperature or an indoor environment within 24 hours ofentering a warmer or colder environment. This is a simplified way for amanufacturer to communicate thermal performance data to a user. In somecases, the instructions can be based on the temperature of the second,third, or outdoor environment. For example, a zero degree Fahrenheitenvironment might require returning the storage system to a roomtemperature or to an indoor environment within 12 hours while a 50degree Fahrenheit environment might only require returning the storagesystem to a room temperature or to an indoor environment within 48hours. These return instructions can be at least 4 hours and/or lessthan 48 hours; at least 6 hours and/or less than 24 hours; and/or atleast 2 hours and/or less than 12 hours. Failing to comply with thereturn instructions could damage the medicine that is stored in thestorage system.

Several embodiments include moving the storage system to a secondenvironment that is cooler than the first environment, and then movingthe storage system to a warmer environment, relative to the secondenvironment, in response to a first instruction, wherein the firstinstruction is a first recommended maximum time that the storage systemcan be in the second environment that is cooler before being moved tothe warmer environment.

Some embodiments include moving the storage system to a thirdenvironment that is warmer than the first environment, and then movingthe storage system to a cooler environment, relative to the thirdenvironment, in response to a second instruction, wherein the secondinstruction is a second recommended maximum time that the storage systemcan be in the third environment that is warmer before being moved to thecooler environment.

Relying on time is not the only way for users to know when they need tomove their storage device out of a hot or cold environment (e.g., anoutdoor environment) and back into a room temperature or indoorenvironment. Some embodiments include indications that notify users tomove the storage system out of a hot or cold environment (e.g., anoutdoor environment) and back into a room temperature or indoorenvironment. For example, some embodiments include moving the storagesystem to a second environment (e.g., an outdoor environment) that iscooler than the first environment, and then moving the storage system toa warmer environment, relative to the second environment, in response toa first indication provided by at least one of the storage system and aremote computing device. The first indication can be at least one of asound, a light, a temperature reading, an indicator on a mechanicaldisplay, and information on an electronic display. The warmerenvironment can be a room temperature environment and/or an indoorenvironment. Several embodiments include moving the storage system to athird environment (e.g., an outdoor environment) that is warmer than thefirst environment, and then moving the storage system to a coolerenvironment, relative to the third environment, in response to a secondindication provided by at least one of the storage system and the remotecomputing device. The second indication can also be at least one of asound, a light, a temperature reading, an indicator on a mechanicaldisplay, and information on an electronic display.

FIG. 5 illustrates various ways to communicate the first indicationand/or the second indication. For example, the sound can be emitted bythe speaker 24 of the storage system and/or by a speaker 24 of thecomputer 76. The computer 76 can be the remote computing device, and canhave an electronic display 62 c to show warnings and messages regardingthe storage system. The storage system can communicate wirelessly withthe computer 76. Example remote computing devices include smartphones,computer tablets, laptop computers, and desktop computers. Thetemperature display 62 b can be an electronic display that showsinformation (e.g., a warning message) or emits a notification light(e.g., a flashing red light) when the storage system needs to bereturned to room temperature. Of course, the temperature display 62 bcan also show a temperature reading. Once the temperature reading is lowor high enough, the user can know it is time to return the storagesystem to room temperature. In some embodiments, the temperature display62 b of the storage system is a mechanical display (e.g., thetemperature dial can be the indicator).

The many features described in the context of FIG. 5, including but notlimited to the electronic features and the computer 76, can be combinedwith any of the features described in the context of FIGS. 1-4 and FIGS.6-37. To reduce redundancy and to increase the clarity of other featuresin other figures, the features described in the context of FIG. 5 arenot repeated for each figure. The lid 18 shown in FIG. 5 can be usedwith any of the storage systems described herein to combine manyelectrical elements with many types of storage systems.

Some methods of storing a medicine include obtaining a storage systemcomprising a first chamber configured to hold the medicine; a phasechange system having a first phase change material and a second phasechange material, wherein the first phase change material has a firstmelting temperature greater than 40 degrees Fahrenheit and less than 74degrees Fahrenheit, and the second phase change material has a secondmelting temperature greater than 74 degrees Fahrenheit and less than 100degrees Fahrenheit; and an outer wall system that wraps at leastpartially around the first chamber and the phase change system.Embodiments can include placing the medicine in the first chamber.

Several embodiments include regulating a temperature of the medicine byutilizing the first phase change material and the second phase changematerial to protect the medicine from a first external temperature lessthan a minimum recommended storage temperature and from a secondexternal temperature greater than a maximum recommended storagetemperature.

Some methods include maintaining the first chamber in a closed statewith the medicine inside the first chamber until an allergic reaction,and then opening the first chamber to retrieve the medicine in responseto the allergic reaction (e.g., when the external environment is abovethe maximum recommended storage temperature or below the minimumrecommended storage temperature).

In several embodiments, the medicine comprises at least one ofepinephrine, adrenalines, antihistamines, and steroids located within aninjection device. Embodiments can include visually inspecting themedicine to determine whether the storage system adequately preservedthe medicine (e.g., after removing the medicine from the storagesystem). This visual inspection can be in response to removing themedicine from the storage system. Some embodiments include treating theallergic reaction with the medicine in response to a determination basedon the visual inspection. The determination can be an appearance of themedicine after the medicine has been stored in the storage system and/orremoved from the storage system.

Several embodiments include closing the medicine within the firstchamber to prepare the storage system for at least one of a firstoutdoor environment having a first temperature less than a minimumrecommended storage temperature and a second outdoor environment havinga second temperature greater than a maximum recommended storagetemperature.

Some embodiments include closing the medicine within the first chamberto prepare the storage system to protect the medicine from an outdoorenvironment. Several embodiments include closing the medicine within thefirst chamber to prepare the storage system to protect the medicine froma first external temperature less than a minimum recommended storagetemperature and from a second external temperature greater than amaximum recommended storage temperature by utilizing phase changes toregulate a temperature of the medicine rather than by regulating thetemperature using electricity (e.g., via refrigeration electricalsystems).

Some embodiments include placing the medicine in the first chamber whilelocated indoors and prior to going outdoors to prepare the storagesystem for the outdoors. Several embodiments include placing themedicine in the first chamber while located indoors and closing thefirst chamber from an external environment prior to going outdoors toprepare the storage system for the outdoors.

Several embodiments include maintaining the first chamber in a closedstate (e.g., with the lid on the base portion of the storage system)until an allergic reaction, and then opening the first chamber toretrieve the medicine in response to the allergic reaction. Some methodsinclude opening the first chamber to retrieve the medicine in responseto the allergic reaction in defiance of an instruction to maintain thefirst chamber in the closed state until entering an indoor environment.

Some embodiments comprise maintaining the storage system in a roomtemperature environment until moving the storage system to a hotter orcolder environment, and then returning the storage system to the roomtemperature environment within a predetermined time based at least inpart on thermal properties of the storage system. The predetermined timecan be at least one hour and/or less than 72 hours.

Several embodiments include maintaining the storage system in a roomtemperature environment until moving the storage system to an outdoorenvironment, and then returning the storage system to the roomtemperature environment within a predetermined time based at least inpart on thermal properties of the storage system.

The phase change system can be located inside a vacuum flask. Someembodiments comprise placing the medicine within the vacuum flask andthen, in response to an allergic reaction, removing the medicine fromthe vacuum flask. The medicine can comprise at least one of epinephrine,adrenalines, antihistamines, and steroids located within an injectiondevice. Methods can include treating the allergic reaction with themedicine.

The phase change system can be located inside an insulated bag. Severalembodiments include placing the medicine within the insulated bag andthen, in response to an allergic reaction, removing the medicine fromthe insulated bag.

Several embodiments include placing the medicine in the phase changesystem to protect the medicine from a first external temperature lessthan a minimum recommended storage temperature and from a secondexternal temperature greater than a maximum recommended storagetemperature by utilizing phase changes to regulate a temperature of themedicine rather than by regulating the temperature using electricity.

Some embodiments include maintaining the first chamber in an open state(e.g., with the lid uncoupled from the base portion such that the liddoes not shield the medicine's chamber from an external environment)with the medicine inside the first chamber while located indoors and/orin a room temperature environment; and then closing the first chamber inresponse to going outdoors, in preparation to go outdoors, inpreparation to leave the room temperature environment, and/or inpreparation to entering a second environment that is hotter or colderthan the room temperature environment.

Several embodiments include closing the medicine within the firstchamber to prepare the storage system for exiting a room temperatureenvironment and/or opening the first chamber once inside a roomtemperature environment (e.g., in response to entering a roomtemperature environment).

Some embodiments include placing the medicine in the phase change systemto protect the medicine from a first external temperature less than aroom temperature and from a second external temperature greater than theroom temperature by utilizing phase changes to regulate a temperature ofthe medicine. Several embodiments include regulating a temperature ofthe medicine by utilizing the first phase change material and the secondphase change material to protect the medicine from a first externaltemperature less than a room temperature and from a second externaltemperature greater than the room temperature.

Many embodiments are described herein to communicate a vast number offeatures and methods. Describing all of the features and methods inevery embodiment would lead to unnecessary redundancy. Each of thefeatures and methods described herein can be included in each of theembodiments described herein. Thus, elements of one embodiment can becombined with elements of other embodiments.

Many embodiments described herein greatly benefit people by enablingthem to take their temperature-sensitive medicines outdoors (even in hotor cold weather). Rather than risk being without their medicine (byleaving their medicine behind when going outdoors), the speciallyconstructed storage systems described herein can protect medicines fromdamage due to hot and cold weather without requiring the bulkystructures or expensive components of traditional refrigerators.

INTERPRETATION

None of the steps described herein is essential or indispensable. Any ofthe steps can be adjusted or modified. Other or additional steps can beused. Any portion of any of the steps, processes, structures, and/ordevices disclosed or illustrated in one embodiment, flowchart, orexample in this specification can be combined or used with or instead ofany other portion of any of the steps, processes, structures, and/ordevices disclosed or illustrated in a different embodiment, flowchart,or example. The embodiments and examples provided herein are notintended to be discrete and separate from each other.

The section headings and subheadings provided herein are nonlimiting.The section headings and subheadings do not represent or limit the fullscope of the embodiments described in the sections to which the headingsand subheadings pertain. For example, a section titled “Topic 1” mayinclude embodiments that do not pertain to Topic 1 and embodimentsdescribed in other sections may apply to and be combined withembodiments described within the “Topic 1” section.

Some of the devices, systems, embodiments, and processes use computers.Each of the routines, processes, methods, and algorithms described inthe preceding sections may be embodied in, and fully or partiallyautomated by, code modules executed by one or more computers, computerprocessors, or machines configured to execute computer instructions. Thecode modules may be stored on any type of non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium or tangible computer storage device,such as hard drives, solid state memory, flash memory, optical disc,and/or the like. The processes and algorithms may be implementedpartially or wholly in application-specific circuitry. The results ofthe disclosed processes and process steps may be stored, persistently orotherwise, in any type of non-transitory computer storage such as, e.g.,volatile or non-volatile storage.

The various features and processes described above may be usedindependently of one another, or may be combined in various ways. Allpossible combinations and subcombinations are intended to fall withinthe scope of this disclosure. In addition, certain method, event, state,or process blocks may be omitted in some implementations. The methods,steps, and processes described herein are also not limited to anyparticular sequence, and the blocks, steps, or states relating theretocan be performed in other sequences that are appropriate. For example,described tasks or events may be performed in an order other than theorder specifically disclosed. Multiple steps may be combined in a singleblock or state. The example tasks or events may be performed in serial,in parallel, or in some other manner. Tasks or events may be added to orremoved from the disclosed example embodiments. The example systems andcomponents described herein may be configured differently thandescribed. For example, elements may be added to, removed from, orrearranged compared to the disclosed example embodiments.

Conditional language used herein, such as, among others, “can,” “could,”“might,” “may,” “e.g.,” and the like, unless specifically statedotherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, isgenerally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, whileother embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/orsteps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended toimply that features, elements and/or steps are in any way required forone or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarilyinclude logic for deciding, with or without author input or prompting,whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to beperformed in any particular embodiment. The terms “comprising,”“including,” “having,” and the like are synonymous and are usedinclusively, in an open-ended fashion, and do not exclude additionalelements, features, acts, operations and so forth. Also, the term “or”is used in its inclusive sense (and not in its exclusive sense) so thatwhen used, for example, to connect a list of elements, the term “or”means one, some, or all of the elements in the list. Conjunctivelanguage such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, and Z,” unlessspecifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with the contextas used in general to convey that an item, term, etc. may be either X,Y, or Z. Thus, such conjunctive language is not generally intended toimply that certain embodiments require at least one of X, at least oneof Y, and at least one of Z to each be present.

The term “and/or” means that “and” applies to some embodiments and “or”applies to some embodiments. Thus, A, B, and/or C can be replaced withA, B, and C written in one sentence and A, B, or C written in anothersentence. A, B, and/or C means that some embodiments can include A andB, some embodiments can include A and C, some embodiments can include Band C, some embodiments can only include A, some embodiments can includeonly B, some embodiments can include only C, and some embodimentsinclude A, B, and C. The term “and/or” is used to avoid unnecessaryredundancy.

While certain example embodiments have been described, these embodimentshave been presented by way of example only, and are not intended tolimit the scope of the inventions disclosed herein. Thus, nothing in theforegoing description is intended to imply that any particular feature,characteristic, step, module, or block is necessary or indispensable.Indeed, the novel methods and systems described herein may be embodiedin a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions,substitutions, and changes in the form of the methods and systemsdescribed herein may be made without departing from the spirit of theinventions disclosed herein.

We claim:
 1. A storage system comprising: a phase change system; a firstcontainer configured to hold at least a portion of the phase changesystem; and a first chamber located within the first container andconfigured to hold a medicine.
 2. The storage system of claim 1, whereinthe phase change system comprises a first phase change material and asecond phase change material, wherein the first phase change materialhas a first melting temperature greater than 40 degrees Fahrenheit andless than 74 degrees Fahrenheit, and the second phase change materialhas a second melting temperature greater than 74 degrees Fahrenheit andless than 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
 3. The storage system of claim 2,wherein the phase change system is configured to protect the medicinefrom a first external temperature less than a minimum recommendedstorage temperature and from a second external temperature greater thana maximum recommended storage temperature by utilizing phase changes toregulate a temperature of the medicine.
 4. The storage system of claim2, wherein an injection device having epinephrine is located in thefirst chamber.
 5. The storage system of claim 4, wherein the injectiondevice comprises a needle configurable to inject the epinephrine into aperson.
 6. The storage system of claim 2, wherein an injection devicehaving a needle is located in the first chamber such that the storagesystem shields the injection device from an external environment.
 7. Thestorage system of claim 2, wherein the first container comprises avacuum chamber configured to thermally insulate the medicine from anexternal environment.
 8. The storage system of claim 7, wherein at leasta majority of the first chamber is located radially inward from thevacuum chamber.
 9. The storage system of claim 2, wherein the firstcontainer comprises a compliant bag having a closeable opening coupledto the first chamber such that the closeable opening is configurable toprovide access to the medicine, and wherein the phase change system islocated inside of the compliant bag such that insulation of thecompliant bag thermally insulates the phase change system from anexternal environment.
 10. The storage system of claim 9, wherein atleast a majority of the phase change system is located between a firstportion of the insulation and a second portion of the insulation. 11.The storage system of claim 10, wherein at least a majority of the firstchamber is located between the first portion and the second portion. 12.The storage system of claim 2, further comprising a second containerholding the first phase change material and a third container holdingthe second phase change material, wherein the second container and thethird container are interchangeable within the first container such thatthe storage system is alternatively configurable to protect the medicinefrom a first environment below 74 degrees Fahrenheit using the firstphase change material and from a second environment above 74 degreesFahrenheit using the second phase change material.
 13. The storagesystem of claim 12, wherein the first chamber is located in the secondcontainer and a second chamber configurable to hold the medicine islocated in the third container.
 14. The storage system of claim 13,wherein at least one of the first chamber and the second chamber isoriented such that a lid coupled to the first container is removable toprovide access to the medicine.
 15. The storage system of claim 12,wherein the first container comprises a vacuum chamber configured tothermally insulate the medicine from an external environment.
 16. Thestorage system of claim 12, wherein the first container comprises acompliant bag having insulation configured to thermally insulate themedicine from an external environment.
 17. A storage system comprising:a first container having a first chamber configured to hold a firstmedicine, wherein the first container comprises a first phase changematerial having a first melting temperature greater than 40 degreesFahrenheit and less than 74 degrees Fahrenheit; a second containerhaving a second chamber configured to hold a second medicine, whereinthe second container comprises a second phase change material having asecond melting temperature greater than 74 degrees Fahrenheit and lessthan 100 degrees Fahrenheit; and a third container, wherein the firstcontainer and the second container are located inside the thirdcontainer.
 18. The storage system of claim 17, wherein the firstcontainer comprises a vacuum chamber configured to thermally insulatethe first medicine from an external environment.
 19. The storage systemof claim 17, wherein the second container comprises a compliant baghaving insulation configured to thermally insulate the first medicinefrom an external environment.
 20. A method of storing a medicine, themethod comprising: obtaining a storage system comprising a phase changesystem, a first container configured to hold at least a portion of thephase change system, and a first chamber located within the firstcontainer, wherein the first chamber is configured to hold a medicine,and wherein the phase change system comprises a first phase changematerial and a second phase change material, the first phase changematerial having a first melting temperature greater than 40 degreesFahrenheit and less than 74 degrees Fahrenheit, and the second phasechange material having a second melting temperature greater than 74degrees Fahrenheit and less than 100 degrees Fahrenheit; placing themedicine in the first chamber; and storing the storage system in a firstenvironment such that the first phase change material is liquid and thesecond phase change material is solid.